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THE TRIUMPHS 



OF 



DIVINE GRACE, 

A P O E M , 



IN TWO PARTS 



^ 



By SAMUEL M. PHELPS, A. M. 



PART I. 

THE HISTORY OF A PENITENT SINNER. 

PART II. 

A DESCRIPTION OF THE MILLENNIAL REIGN OF JESU! 
CHRIST ON EARTH, BY A CONVERTED ISRAELITE. 

TO WHICH ARE ADDED 

PROMISCUOUS PIECES, 
By HARRIETTE E. PHELPS. 



J^EW-YORK: ., 
CRAIGHEAD AND ALLEN, PRINTERS. 

1835. 



:f3 



TRIUMPHS 

OF 

DIVINE GRACE 

By SAMUEL M. PHELPS, A. M. 



THE TRIUMPHS 

OP 

DIVINE GRACE, 



PART I. 

In Europe's central regions, where the Rhone, 
The Rhine, Danube, and Po, begin their course. 
And wind their devious ways to different seas, 
Between two lofty ridges of the Alps, 
There lies a pleasant vale, from north to south, ' 
Sloping and wid'ning tow'rds the southern point, 
Whose green luxuriant foliage, when compar'd 
With the rough rocks, and cliffs, and gaping caves, 
That meet the wand'ring eye, on either side, 
Renders the charming scene more charming still. 

In this delightful spot, joyful, and free 

From those degrading chains that fashion forms, 

Safe without locks, and without arnjs secure^ 



8 TRIUMPHS OF 

Its happy tenants pass their cheerful days, 

In social converse, when their work is done, « 

Or read their fav'rite books, or exercise 

Their vigorous limbs by healthful labor forniM, 

To climb the slippery steeps where chamois feed. 

Or leap the frightful chasm that bars their way. 

Here God thro' nature's operations shows 

His power and goodness both ; here beauteous flow'rs 

Attract the eye, and here delicious fruits 

Regale the taste ; and vegetables rich, 

In choice nutritious juice, nourish'd and fed, 

And hasten'd forward in their rapid growth. 

By constant rills, that flow from secret springs. 

Here too th' Eternal God, whose mighty word, 

From the dark, cold, chaotic, shapeless mass 

Of floating particles, that lay conceal'd 

Beneath the sable wings of ancient night, 

Form'd heaven and earth ; had shown his wond'rous pow'r 

Mountains on mountains piling, rocks on rocks. 

In part compact, consolidated, firm ; 

And partly rent, and rifted by the shock 

Of jarring elements in nature's war. 

Here oft Jehovah rides on the swift wings 

Of furious winds : here oft the anxious swain 

Beholds the sun by sudden clouds obscured, 

Rising like fleecy vapors, from the foot 

Of some tall clifl", or pressing thro, the chasm, 



DIVINE GRACE. 

Between two neighb'ring hills, with threatening front 

Rolling their curling columns, like the sea 

IJrg'd to the shore, by some tempestuous wind. 

And tho' accustom'd to such sights as these, 

He feels a secret dread, and holds his eye 

Fix'd on th' approaching mass, 'till the fierce glare 

Of some keen flash his vision overpowers, 

And the hoarse sound of God's tremendous voice, 

With intonations deep, echo'd from hills, 

And caves, and winding glens, assails his ears, 

And makes him feel the littleness of man. 

In this sequester'd place there liv'd a man 

Whose polish'd manners, and imposing mien, 

Gave him authority, and influence 

Among the lowly tenants of the vale. 

Here he was born, and here he spent his days, 

'Till love of glory forc'd him from his home, 

To seek adventures in a foreign land. 

And soon he found employ, for gen'rous France, 

Who pays the Swiss to guard her monarch's throne, 

Observ'd his manly port, and martial mien, 

And took him into service, where his skill 

And graceful movements, caught the sovereign's eye. 

And stamp'd his character in future life. 

Beneath this monarch's smiles he flourish'd long, 

A thoughtless, gay, licentious devotee, 



10 TRIUMPHS OF 

Of sensual joys ; 'till God's just providence, 

That rules the world in righteousness and truth, 

Check'd his licentious course, and sent him back 

To his own native soil, disgrac'd and shorn 

Of all his honors, by the artful wiles 

Of an insidious foe : and here, again 

►Secluded from the busy, bustling worlds 

A disappointed, melancholy man. 

He pass'd his pensive hours, and seemingly 

Took little pleasure in the rural scenes 

Of his own native land : the blooming flowers 

And rich delicious fruits had lost their charms : 

Nor could the gentle tones of murm'ring rills. 

Or the hoarse sound of roaring cataracts, 

Soothe his sad mind, or rouse its energies ; 

'Till all subduing time, and the soft smiles 

Of an ingenuous maid, beguil'd his heart. 

And led him cheerfully to join his hand 

To hers, in Hymen's consecrated bands. 

One only son their union blest, and him 

They lov'd — and watch'd with int'rest deep 

His op'ning intellect, by sallies oft 

Of keen, sarcastic repartee, display 'd. 

To the surprise of those who heard him speak. 

To educate this boy all means were us'd— 
And all the teachers tax'd, the vale supplied ; 



DIVINE GRACE. 11 

Nor were they tax'd in vain ; the child improv'd, 

And commendations paid him for his toil. 

At length he reach'd an age when love of praise 

Inspires the youthful mind, and his was fir'd 

With strong desires, to emulate the deeds 

Gf which he often heard his father speak. 

Deeds that the world applauds, prowess in war. 

And gallantry in peace ; such deeds as please 

The thoughtless, ^iddy devotees of fame, 

Skilful manosuv'ring on the grand parade, 

Impetuous onset on th' embattled foe. 

And graceful movements on th' elastic floor. 

Where damsels like Herodias' daughter dance : 

For such the deeds of which his father spoke, 

And such the deeds he long'd to imitate. 

Nor was it long before, with beating heart. 

He saw his eager wishes gratified. 

An officer from France, his father's friend, 

Came in disguise, for fear of violence 

From fierce, infuriate mobs, which now began 

To shake the trembling monarch's tot'ring throne. 

To seek recruits among the faithful Swiss. 

And one he soon procur'd, th' ambitious youth, 

The subject of our tale, whose ardent mind 

Glow'd with a keen desire, t' avenge the wrongs 

Of suff'ring royalty, so well portray 'd, 

By lips accustom'd often to declaim 



12 ' TRIUMPHS OF 

Against the rudeness of the rough canaille. 

At length he stood prepared to leave his home — 

His mother wept, and kiss'd his burning cheeks ; 

His father press'd his hand, and bid him ago — 

His friends came crowding round him with adieus. 

And wishes oft repeated, that his health 

Might be preserved, and happiness attend 

His steps. At last dismissed he left the house, 

And with his guide pursued the road (o France. 

Thro' many winding glens, and gldomy vales, 

Thro' many dangerous paths, o'er slip'ry rocks 

They travel on, employ 'd in thinking o'er,. 

Each as his own imagination ran. 

The scenes thro' which he probably must pass : 

The Frenchman's fancy, paints the falling king 

Rising again, and conquering all his foes ; 

The youthful Swiss' brains were fiU'd with dreams 

Of honor, glory, and unrivall'd fame 

In acts o*f gallanty, and deeds of war ; 

But all were idle dreams, for e'er they reach'd 

The borders of the Seine, Louis was dead, 

And monarchy had foll'n. Equality 

Ambitious, partial, vain, and proud 

Of its ridiculous, unmeaning name, 

Had, by reducing others, raised itself 

To influence, authority, and power, 



DIVINE GRACE. 13 

And swept the land, as with destruction's broom : 
The Frenchman saw his danger, and retir'd, 
The Swiss remain'd, and join'd the populace 
Resolv'd to make his fortune, or to lose 
His life in making the attempt. 

Perplex'd and undecided how to act, his mind 
Was much distress'd, by fluctuating thoughts, 
Till a young officer, whose epaulettes 
Disclos'd his rank, came to him with a smile, 
And kindly press'd him to enrol his name 
Among the soldiers of the commonwealth. 
The offer he embrac'd, and quickly rose 
Under the fost'ring care of Bonaparte, 
To a distinguish'd rank, and wore the badge 
Of a field officer, and was renown'd 
For skill, and courage on the bloody field 
Where hostile armies meet ; but intercourse 
With infidels soon made an infidel 
Of him : he neither blush'd, nor felt remorse, 
When, with his thoughtless comrades he proclaim'd 
Death's an eternal sleep ; there is no God, 
Nor heaven, nor hell, nor future state for man ; 
Let's eat, and drink, and fight, and sing, and dance 
Our lives away, 'till life's short race is run : 
2 



14 TRIUMPHS OF 

Such was his creed, and such his practice too. 

Thoughtless, and unconcern'd, he dash'd along 

Thro' camps, and ball-rooms, 'till the ruling powers 

Afraid, lest some bold chief should wrest the reins 

Of government, from their polluted hands, 

Contrived to send a young aspiring man 

To lead an army to a distant land. 

With these our hero went, and reach'd the place 

On Afric's soil where Alexander built 

A city to commemorate his deeds. 

There station'd on the shore, near to a bay 

In which the fleet that brought them lay secure, 

They see, far to the north, in close array, 

Approaching sails just rising from the waves. 

And rapidly advancing towards the coast. 

Conjectures soon arose what they could be, 

Or what their object ; but conjectures soon 

Were laid aside, for proud Britannia's flag 

Was seen to float above the swelling sheets, 

And Nelson's pennant, fluttering in the breeze 

Proclaim'd defiance to his country's foes. 

The Frenchman saw, and hastily prepar'd 

To fight his mortal foe. The British chief 

Advanc'd and look'd awhile, and then resolvM 

At once, to try the issue of a fight ; 

And signal answering signal having shown. 

That all were ready, strait he gives command 



DIVINE GRACE. 15 

And down they bear impetuous, charg'd with death 

In twice ten thousand forms ; chain shot and shells, 

Grenades, and iron balls, to mutilate. 

To wound, and pierce, and utterly destroy 

Whatever thwarts their way. And now arrangM 

The murd'rous engines stand with gaping mouths ; 

And from their deep-ton'd throats pour forth a stream 

Of flame and iron hail : the fire receiv'd 

Is speedily return'd, and a dread roar, 

Like the loud thunder on mount Sinai's brow 

When God came down in fire, assails the ear ; 

And echoed, and re-echoed from the shores 

Can find no time to pause ; the finny tribes 

Dart quickly downwards to their coral beds, 

And hide themselves beneath the shelt'ring rocks- 

And now the battle rag'd, and shouts, and groans 

Scarce audible, mix with the cannon's roar : 

The sails are rent ; the cordage breaks like thread 

Touch'd by the fire, the groaning masts fall down, ~ 

And headless trunks, and mangled limbs of men, 

And streams of human blood defile the decks. 

Long was the strife, and obstinate the fight, 

For neither party felt disposM to yield : 

The British fight their honor to sustain. 

The French contend their safety to secure ; 

But heaven directs the affairs of mortal men. 



16 TRIUMPHS OF 

A burning ball thrown with prodigious force 
Enter'd the side of Gallia's proudest ship, 
And pressing on reach'd to her magazine. 
A burst of flame arose, and decks, and guns. 
And men were hurried far aloft, and fell 
In broken fragments on the quiv'ring wave. 
A sudden pause ensu'd ; the smoke dispers'd ; 
The Frenchmen saw their peril, and at once 
Their whole attention to their safety turn'd. 
Part struck their flags, and part began to fly, 
But flying fail their safety to secure. 
Rocks intercept ; thej^ ground, and yield the day ; 
And thus Britannia triumph'd o'er her foes. 

But why relate our hero's arduous toil 

Along the Nile, or thro' the burning sands ; 

Why undertake to tell his gallant deeds 

In many hard campaigns : let it suffice 

To note the last, when with a motley host 

Which Bonaparte collected to chastise 

The insolence of Russia's haughty Czar ; 

He pass'd the Vistula, and bravely fought, 

At weeping Smolensk, and Borodino, 

Whose thirsty soil drank deep of human blood. 

And when within old Moscow's ancient walls, 

He saw a hundred fires break out at once, 

And heard the crackling flames, and saw then spread 



DIVINE GRACE. 17 

From house to house, till palaces and towers, 

Churches and spires were wrapt in blazing sheets. 

And one great burning sea, like Etna's mouth 

Sent up a thousand pyramids of fire. 

But other scenes, far less sublime, 'tis true 

But deeply interesting are prepar'd 

His courage and his skill to exercise. 

For Bonaparte, finding his threat'nings vain 

To bring the Czar to terms, and fearing lest 

His discontented troops should mutinize, 

Gave orders to them to retrace their steps ; 

And soon their faces towards their native land 

They turn'd, and march'd awhile with measur'd steps 

In regular array ; but Kutusoff 

Warn'd of their movements, marches by their side, 

And Platoff's Cossacks hang upon their rear. 

The thoughts of home, and friends quicken their pace 

And make their burdens light, but home and friends, 

But few among them were allow'd to see. 

The way is long ; their enemies harrass ; 

And winter ; dreadful winter soon begins 

His gloomy reign ; the ground is render'd hard. 

The air is chill'd, their famish'd horses die ; 

Their shoes give way, their path is mark'd with blood ; 

Their clothes are insufficient to protect 

Their shiv'ring limbs from the keen northern blasts ; 

Their courage fails ; hope dies ; despair succeeds : 

2* 



18 TRIUMPHS OP 

They leave their baggage, and desert their ranks ; 

A cruel selfishness seizes their minds, 

And " save who can," becomes the general cry. 

Of these poor fugitives some quit the road 
In quest of food, and shelter from the cold ; 
But neither food nor shelter can they find. 
One dreary waste meets their astonish'd eyes 
Their spirits sink ; they groan, lie down and die. 
Some by severe fatigue, and cold o'ercome 
Station themselves beneath some shelt'ring rock 
Or in some friendly nook, and crowding close 
In order to preserve that little warmth * 
Their bodies still retain, are froze to death. 
And stand upright ; appalling scene ! a mass 
Of human bodies bleaching in the wind. 
Some enter the deserted domes, in search 
Of food, or clothes, but seldom find aught, that 
Can be of use ; save, old cast clothes, or food 
Of coarsest kind ! on these they seize, and these 
They carry off, and o'er their shoulders throw ; 
And tatter'd garments, pellises, and cloaks. 
And petticoats, and gowns, and skins of sheep 
Worn by the Russian boors^ and laid aside 
For others better, or more fit for use. 
Distinguish this most miserable group. 
In these array 'd they join their friends again, — 



DIVINE GRACE. 10 

A laugh bursts forth, — a loud convulsive laugh, 
In spite of all their sufferings to behold 
Their comrades so fantastically drest. 
Some enter vacant houses in the night, 
And mad with disappointment, curse and swear. 
And to conclude the scene, set them on fire , 
And rave like madmen round the blazing pile. 
Others the flames beholding from afar, 
CharmM by the sight of fire rush heedless on; 
And pressing close before their danger's known 
Are strangled by the bickering flames, and fall 
Into the burning mass, and gasp, and die. 

But why relate the horrid scenes of this 

Most horrid time 1 let it suffice to say 

Our hero liv'd thro' all, and safely reach'd 

The French metropolis, and then resign'd 

His dangerous post, and sought his ancient home. 

Arriv'd he found his parents both alive. 

And long accustom'd to domestic life 

Quite satisfied, and happy in their lot. — 

With these he liv'd, and by degrees forgot. 

Or ceas'd to think of wars, and masquerades, 

Battles and balls, and all the vain parade 

Of military show, — and soon resolv'd 

In his own native vale to spend his*days. 

And here he found a modest, lovely maid, 



20 TRIUMPHS OP 

Who won his heart. To her he gave his hand, 
And with her liv'd for many pleasant years, 
And tasted happiness ; if happiness 
It can be call'd, that mortals taste below. 

Four blooming children blest their mutual love, 

Whose intellects, and beauties seem'd to be 

All that they wish'd ; and these they fondly lov'd 

And cherish'd hopes not to be realized : 

For God who does not see as mortals do. 

Had made arrangements to destroy these hopes ;- 

A fearful malady brought on the wings 

Of scorching winds from Afric's burning coast, 

Enter'd this pleasant vale, and hurried down 

Its peaceful tenants to the silent grave. 

To this the household I have mention'd all 

Fell victims, save the subject of our tale, — 

Him God preserv'd to witness other scenes 

And be a monument of sovereign grace. 

Distress'd and overcome with poignant grief. 
He pac'd with mournful steps his late abode, — 
Or went abroad to weep — beside the graves 
Of his departed friends, accusing heaven 
For its severe and terrible decree, 
That thus had robb^ him of his dearest joys. 
But heaven had other lessons still to teach ; 



DIVINE GRACE. 2^1 

Nor did it hesitate to make him feel 

A keener grief than he had ever felt, 

For this was requisite to make him what 

It had design'd to make, a child of God. — 

For the most high from his most glorious throne 

Of glittering gems, " insufferably bright," 

Beyond the blazing portals of the sky, 

That show themselves to men in Orion's belt, — 

Sent his good spirit down to touch his heart. 

Under its powerful touch, he saw, and felt, 

What he had neither seen nor felt before ; 

The great eternal, all pervading God, — 

The high and holy one, spotless, and pure, 

And watching o'er his works with strictest care — 

Meeting the good with smiles, such smiles as fill 

Their hearts with joy and love, exalted joy 

And ardent burning love ; but frowning on 

The bad, with frowns that blast their hopes, wither 

Their strength, and fill their burden'd souls with pain. 

Such frowns as lost despairing spirits dread. 

Far worse than hell itself; such awful frowns, 

As make the dark, and dismal glooms of that 

Most dismal world more dark, and dismal still. 

This God he saw, not with his fleshly eyes. 
But with the understanding's which the high 
And lofty one had open'd to convince 



22 TRIUMPHS OP 

This wretched sinner of his sinfulness. 
Wonder, at first, his thoughts absorbed ; but soon 
Reverting on himself, a painful sense 
Of littleness, unworthiness, and guilt, 
O'erwhelm'd his tortur'd mind ; and his whole life 
Seem'd but a vain, delusive, painful dream 
Of wild extravagance, and shameful guilt. 

A poor dejected melancholy man; — 
He wander'd round for weeks among his friends 
To seek relief, but still conceal'd the cause 
Of his distress, which they suppos'd to be 
The loss of relatives ; but tho' the loss 
Of relatives had weigh'd his spirits down, 
A heavier weight now press'd upon his heart. 
At length o'erwhelm'd with anguish he resolv'd, 
His long neglected Bible to peruse, 
In hopes, that in its pages he might find 
A balm to ease the sorrows of his heart : 
He read, and reading found himself condemned 
In almost ev'ry page ; but also found 
Encouragement to pray, and exercise 
Faith, and repentance. This he strove to do, 
And striving found relief, and soon began 
To think himself a favorite of heaven. 
But all his righteousness was a mere web, 
That his own hands had wrought, and heav'n abhor'd 



DIVINE GRACE. 23 

Yet still it gave him ease, and courage too, 
To tell his neighbors what the Lord had done. 

And now he prays, and indirectly boasts 
Of his past vicious life, under pretence 
Of magnifying God's abounding grace. 
But God's abounding grace would not allow 
Such language, and such feelings in a man 
That he had destin'd to eternal life : — 
And from his throne again he hasten'd down 
The spirit of his grace, to make him see 
The length, and breadth of his eternal law; — 
Requiring perfect love to God and man, 
From principles of pure benevolence. 
In this- lie saw he fail'd, and soon discern'd, 
A secret opposition in his mind 
To this, as then he thought, severe, unjust. 
And cruel law, that bid him give up all 
His heart held dear, — his selfishness, and pride ; — 
And much he sought to find a way, in which 
He might retain, at least, a part of these, 
And by his deeds acquire a right to heaven ; 
For thus he thought, there surely is a way. 
Which man pursuing may acquire a right 
To heaven and happiness ; for otherwise — 
Commands were useless, — promises in vain, — 
And threat'nings mere unmeaning — empty words. 



24 TRIUNPHS OP 

But still he did not know, that 'tis a way, 

Which God himself makes known, by his own power 

To those in whom he chooses to reveal. 

The mysteries of his grace in Jesus Christ ; 

Aud being ignorant of this great truth, 

He thought religion must consist in forms. 

And creeds ; and much he wish'd to know what form 

Was right ; what creed, of all the creeds in use 

Was best ; but how to ascertain the fact 

Perplex'd him long. 

At last his thoughts were drawn 

Tow'rds ancient Rome, for he had often heard 

Of holy mother church ; — saint Peter's chair, 

And men possess'd of power to pardon sins. 

From these he hop'd to learn the way of truth, — 

And went prepar'd, (for he had wealth acquir'd 

In foreign wars) to live abroad till peace 

Was found : but peace belongs to those alone, 

With whom the son of peace makes his abode. — 

But unappriz'd of this, he left his home 

In search of that which no where can be found, 

But in the bosom of eternal love. 

'Tis true, he felt reluctant to forsake 

The spot where all his friends, tho' dead, were lodg'd ; 

Yet still, tho' sad, as we have said, he went ; — 

And journeying Southward, reach'd at last the shore 



DIVINE GRACE. 25 

Of that broad sea whose waters lave the sides, 
Of three divisions of our wicked world. 
From thence he cross'd to proud imperial Rome, 
That once had sway'd the sceptre of the world ; 
But now was much reduc'd, and destin'd soon 
To fall, — and falling, rise no more ; — and here 
He cliose his home, and made his wishes known 
To those of estimation in the church ; 
Who all assur'd him he might safely trust, 
His everlasting welfare in their hands : — 
That nothing more was requisite than this. 
To join the church, and yield obedience 
To her commands ; and this he did, but still 
He found no peace, for notwithstanding all 
His conscience whisper'd, yo2i're a sinful man. 
And sinful men cannot commune xoith God. 
With ardent zeal he strove to check its voice, 
By reading, praying, and performing all 
His teachers had prescribed, but strove in vain ; 
For still it whisper'd, " you'' re a sinful man. 
And sinful men cannot commune with Gody 

In this unhappy state he look'd around 

With scrutinizing eyes upon the priests, 

And holy dignitaries of the church. 

As they profess'd to be : but holiness 

Did not appear in what they said, or did,— 
3 



ii, 



26 TRiuNPHS or 

But strong conclusive proofs of vanity 
And pride, and shameful lust, and deadly hate ; 
And when he saw the effect upon the flock ; — 
When he beheld them vain, licentious, proud — 
Full of deceit, malignity, and scorn, 
Encourag'd by the pardons they receiv'd, 
And thought sufficient to atone for all 
Their wicked, and abominable deeds ; 
Or when he saw them kneeling on the ground 
While images of saints were passing by, 
And teazing heaven with their incessant cries, — 
And, rising from their knees, contend, and fight. 
And cheat, and lie, and steal, and curse and swear. 
He durst not rest his hopes of future bliss 
On a religious system such as this. 
Or when he saw their empty, vain parades. 
And long processions in their holy robes. 
With crucifixes glittering in their hands. 
And bones of ancient saints incasM in gold ; 
And heard the strong expressions of their love 
To Christ the meek, and holy lamb of God ; 
And markM their wicked deeds in private life^ 
He durst not trust his future happiness 
-With such profane, and impious characters, — 
And would have speedily renounc'd his faith 
In all religious systems, if the view 
Which he had had of God, and heav'nly things, 



DIVINE GRACE. 27 

And of his own accountability, 
Had not forbidden him to disbelieve ; — 
He did, he must believe there was a God, " 
And heaven, and hell, and future state for man- 
In this perplexity he took his leave 
Of this polluted residence of vice. 

And went, he scarce knew where, or after what, 

But went, 'till finally he found himself 

On Moslem ground, and trav'ling onward still. 

He reach'd at length the proud metropolis 

Of Turkish arrogance, and selfish pride. 

And here he felt far more distressing pain 

Than he had felt at Rome, — not on account 

Merely of what he saw, but what he felt 

Within : for tho' it griev'd him much to see 

The pride and cruelty of Moslem lords, 

And mark the sorrows of their suffering slaves,— 

Tho' his heart bled to think what would become 

Of this vast crowd, when call'd to their account 

Before the high, and holy throne of God ; 

A secret fire, more dreadful still, wither'd 

His soul, and drove him nearly to despair. 

This fire came down from God, for God is fire, — 

A fierce consuming fire to sinful men ; 

And God had sent his holy spirit down 

To burn, consume, and pray upon his pride, 



28 TRIUMPHS OF 

And selfishness, and lusts, and make him know 
The terrors of his power, and secret wrath, 
Which lost unhappy, guilty sinners feel ; 
Till he should be prepar'd to taste his grace. 
And learn to prize his love thro' Jesus Christ. 

'Tis true God did not ever make him feel 
The utmost of his wrath, for then his soul 
Instead of being broke, would have been ground 
To dust. Nor would he break a bruised reed, 
Nor quench the smoking flax, 'till it should blaze 
With righteousness, and truth, and holy love. 
Nor did he always make him feel the same 
Excessive pain, lest he should faint thro grief, 
And prematurely sink into the grave ; — 
But meting out his wrath in mercy's cup, 
Gave respite to his lacerated mind. 
And time to think what he had been — what seen, 
And what he might expect to be, and see 
Hereafter, in the world which is to come. 
Thus exercis'd, and wearied with the sight — 
Of so much sorrow, misery and grief. 
As he was forc'd to witness in this place. 
He sought a residence on Asian ground. 
And travel'd eastward 'till he found a vale, 
That bore a faint resemblance to the one 
In which, he'd liv'd so long ; and here he found 



DIVINE GRACE. 29 

A few poor families, that owii'd the name 
Of Jesus Christ, — tho' much decay'd, and fallen 
From what their fathers were ; yet he resolv'd 
To stay awhile with these, and read the word 
Of God, to which, as to his last resort. 
His earnest expectation now was turn'd. 

And now he read, and pray'd, and pray'd and read 

Again ; but could not yet be satisfied. 

The more his thoughts were turn'd to his past life, 

The viler he appear'd ; the more he strove 

To cleanse his heart, the worse it seem'd to grow ; 

The more he strove to bend his stubborn will, 

And break his stony heart, the more his will 

Seem'd to resist, and harder grow his heart ; 

Till he was quite convinc'd he must depend 

On God's free grace, not only to secure 

His pardon, and admission into heaven. 

But to prepare him for that happy place. 

This was the light in which he view'd himself, 

And his condition : he was poor, and vile, — 

Yet vileness he abhor'd, and could not bear 

To think, that he must live with the impure. 

Profane, obscene, and vile. The good he lov'd, 

And wish'd to have his portion with the just; 

But still he durst not hope they would receive, 

And live with such a guilty thing as he ; 
3* 



30 TRIUMPHS OF 

And after all his toil, he found himself, 

As we have said, dependant on God's grace 

For every needed good, and likewise found 

That certain misery would be his lot, 

If God should choose his blessings to withhold. 

What then remain'4, but earnestly to pray 

Th'at God would change his heart, forgive his sins, 

And fit him for the realms of blessedness ; 

And this he solemnly resolv'd to do, 

Till God should hear his prayer, or call away 

His spirit from its tenement of cla3^ 

This prudent resolution he observ'd, 

And ne'er allow'd a single day to pass. 

In which he did not earnestly implore 

forgiveness, mercy, holiness, and grace ; 

But seemingly implor'd in vain, for still 

A heavy burden rested on his heart. 

At length dejected, he retir'd one day 

To a thick neighb'ring grove, where hid from sight 

He pray'd, and thought, and thought, and pray'd again. 

Till nature overcome with weariness 

Call'd for repose, and down he sunk in sleep, 

And waking found himself compos'd, and calm ; 

No burden press'd ; no sorrow fill'd his heart ; 

No apprehensions of the fearful wrath 

Of his Almighty Judge distress'd his mind. 



DirWB GRACE. 31 

And musing, long he sat, if possible 

To learn the cause of this so sudden change ; 

And earnestly he strove to feel again 

As he had felt before, but strove in vain. 

His mind was all composure, quietness, 

And peace. At last, he cast his anxious eye 

Upon the Sacred Book, that near him, lay 

Unclosed, — whose leaves were flutt'ring in the wind ; 

And quickly took it up, and these the words 

That met his eager scrutinizing look : 

Behold Godh Lamh^ that takes away the sins 

Of guilty men! A pause ensued — and then 

A flow of tenderness burst from his heart, 

And soft, delicious tears, ran down his cheeks ; 

And his whole soul, dissolving into love. 

Panted to throw its lengthen'd arms around. 

And to its bosom clasp the mighty orb 

Of intellectual life. His will was bow'd ; 

His heart was broke ; shades fled ; light shone ; 

Death died ; life lived ; Hell closed its burning mouth : 

And Heaven sent down sweet smiles of love and joy — 

Creation seem'd renew'd ; the trees bent down 

Their lofty heads low to their Maker's feet. 

The birds their little throats strain'd hard to speak 

His praise ; and spires of grass shot up, as if 

To meet his smiles, and sing his praises too. 



32 TRIUMPHS OF 

Admiring long he sat, and much he wish'd 

To know the cause of this great change ; by what 

Produc'd, or what it might portend ; for this 

He did not know, nor could conjecture, till 

In gentle whispers, something seem'd to say, 

This is repentance^ faith^ and holiness ; 

This is the love that satisfies the laiv ; 

The pledge of your acceptance with your God — 

With joy he rose, and hastened to his home. 

His bowels yearning o'er his dying friends, 

Whom he besought, in soft persuasive tones, 

To come and taste the goodness of the Lord, 

But he besought in vain ; they looked amaz'd, 

But did not comprehend his words, because 

The Spirit was not there to make them feel 

The force of the great truths which they had heard. 

And now his thought was to return again 
To his own native vale, and die in peace : 
But being now so near the sacred ground, 
Where the blest Son of God had liv'd and died ; 
He thought to visit this : and passing on, 
Came to the borders of the holy land : 
And here, in mute amazement, he beheld 
The desolation of this chosen realm. 
So highly favored once : no temples rose ; 
No altars smok'd with victims to the GocJ 



DIVINE GRACF.. 33 

Of Abraham. No songs of praise were heard 

To Jesus Christ, God's well beloved son : 

No bonds of love appear'd to hold, in sweet 

Communion's charms, " the sacramental host 

Of God's elect ;" but the wild Ishmaelite 

Prowling for prey, roam'd o'er the dreary plains. 

Or the fierce Turk of Tartar origin 

Glar'd on him as he passed, — and bastard sons 

Of Ham, — or christians more degenerate still, 

Mark'd, and defil'd with their unhallow'd feet 

The old inheritance of Jacob's sons. 

Briers infest the plains, and thorns the vales. 

And beasts of prey, and reptiles fill the woods ; 

Fit emblem of the barren, desolate. 

Unhappy lot of Jacob's chosen seed : 

Their temple spoil'd, their priesthood at an end ; 

Worship extinct, — minds darkened, till the time 

Of their appointed restoration come. 

Thro' this drear waste he travel'd 'till he reach'd 
The city of the everlasting king, 
Fall'n from its ancient power, and glory too. 
And here he wept, and wept again, to think 
What once it was, what is, and what must be : 
But no companions could he find, with whom 
He wish'd to stay ; 'tis true he often met 
Men who profess'd to honor Jesus Christ, 



34 TRIUMPHS OF 

But they were vile, deceitful, proud, and vain ; 
Officiously pretending to point out 
Houses, and caves, and rocks, and wells, and brooks, 
Which once were honoured by the saints of old, 
And eagerly presenting bits of wood 
Which they asserted, to have once belong'd 
To tlie true cross on which the Saviour died, 
Tho' manifestly of a later date. 

Disgusted with their deeds, he would have gone 

Immediately to his ancient home. 

Had he not felt a strong desire to see 

The awful mount, from which God gave his law 

To the assembled tribes of Jacob's race. 

To this desire he sacrific'd his fear, 

And went alone thro' realms of scorching sand ; 

(For he had trod, in part, this waste before. 

To serve his general in the moslem war.) 

And having pass'd the dangers of the way, 

Came to the consecrated regions, where 

In thunder God had spoke to mortal men. 

With interest deep he view'd th'affecting scene ; 

Ridges of naked rocks, and barren cliffs. 

Fit emblem of the impotence of law 

To give eternal life to sinful men. 

There Sinai rose in awful majesty. 

And there, tho' less majestic, Horeb stood. 



DIVINE GRACE. 35 

Distinguish'd both in Israel's history, 

When God his chosen tribes with manna fed. 

Here wand'ring round he met a man who spoke 

The language of the West, of him he ask'd 

Where he might find a proper resting place. 

For a few days ; and was by him receiv'd 

Into a small, but neat, and clean abode, 

Close by the mountain's side, and was inform'd 

That he might tarry here until he judg'd 

It proper to depart : and here he staid, 

Well satisfied in quietness, and peace ; 

And every day, with curious eye explored 

Part of the mount, or its vicinity. 

At length a sudden thought within him rose, 

To climb the sides of this stupendous hill. 

And view the spot where once Jehovah stood 

With Moses by his side, when he came down 

In fire, wrapt in a cloud that hid his shape 

From every eye but one, which he allow'd 

To see a part of that bright form, in which 

He chose to manifest himself to men. 

(A cloud, tho' dense, unable to contain 

Its burning contents, which would often dart 

Thro' its cleft folds in streams of quiv'ring fire, 

With a tremendous sound that shook the mount. 

And made th' affrighted neigb'ring deserts ring.) 



36 TRIUMPHS OP 

The project once conceiv'd he had no rest ; 
Tho' much he fear'd to go where God had been 
In human form, and converse held with man ; 
Till he should make the hazardous attempt. 
And now with curious eye he scann'd the mount, 
By going round its whole circumference, 
To ascertain the easiest way to reach 
The loftiest eminence, and having found 
The path by which he meant t'ascend, waited 
An opportunity th'attempt to make ; 
And soon an opportunity was found : 
And with the rising day he sallied forth. 
To find the path, by which he meant to reach 
The consecrated spot ; this path he found, 
And travel'd up the perilous ascent. 
Till he had reach'd the highest eminence, 
Where he suppos'd the Lord of hosts had stood 
When he proclaim'd his law to sinful men. 
And here he stood himself in solemn awe. 
And cast his anxious eye o'er hills, and plains, 
That lay beneath his feet ; — wide sandy plains. 
And hills of naked barren rocks ; fit type. 
As we have said before, — of that, in which 
The law was wanting, namely, power to give 
Eternal life to lost unhappy man, — 
But greatly useful still to show his need 
Of the rich blessings promis'd, thro' God's son. 



DIVINE GRACE. 37 

A sense, a painful, pleasing sense, of God*s 

Immediate presence now impress'd his mind ; 

And with uplifted hands, and streaming eyes, 

He thus implorM his grace. " Eternal God, 

Unsearchable and holy, just and good, 

Creator, Saviour, governor and king ; 

Provider, benefactor, all in all — 

To the immense created universe, 

O, deign to hear the prayer of one, whose hope 

Centres in thee alone : forgive my sins, — 

Renew my heart, — watch o'er my roving thoughts, — 

Rule my unruly tongue, and guide my feet 

Into the paths of righteousness, and peace. 

And shed, O shed thy holy blessed love 

Into my worthless heart that I may taste 

Thy boundless goodness, and rejoice with joy 

Unspeakable, in thee my God and king. 

And O, eternal source of light and life, 

Pity thy wretched, fall'n creature man, 

And send the spirit of thy grace to chase 

The dismal darkness of his mind away : — 

Impart repentance, faith, and holiness. 

And every needed grace to make him blest — 

And bid, O bid thy prostrate Zion rise, 

From her long sleep, and put her garments on. — 

Garments of purest linen, white and clean, 

Wash'd in a dying Saviour's precious blood, 
4 



38 TRIUMPHS OP 

And starr'd with gems of his own righteousness. 
Arise, O God, and plead ihy glorious cause ; 
Let the curst reign of sin and sorrow cease ; 
Let sin be slain, and pride and lust destroy 'd, — 
Cause death to die, and hell to hide her face. 
And blest Immanuel's empire to extend 
Its influence to earth's remotest bounds." 

He ceas'd ; — descended to the base^ and saw 

A human figure sitting in the door 

Of what appear'd, a subterranean house, — 

And notwithstanding he'd been usM to see 

A vast variety of human forms, 

In this he seem'd to see something that made 

A deep impression on his tender mind : 

And stepping tow'rds him modestly inquired, 

If he could give him aught t'allay his thirst? 

The stranger rose, and led him to a seat 

Within his little dome, and gave him drink, 

And in kind tones invited him to stay 

Till he could furnish him with a repast : 

He yielded to his wish, and soon beheld 

The board of his kind host with viands spread. 

And down they sat, and ate, and both seem'd pleas'd 

The host to give, the guest to take the gift. 

When the repast was finish'd, they convers'd, 

And found by conversation, that their hearts * 



DIVINE GRACE. 39 

Were to each other bound in cords of love. 
At length the generous host express'd a wish 
To know the history of his gentle guest. 
With this the guest comply'd, and told the tale 
Of his past life, from childhood to the hour 
In which he met his host. This done he paus'd, 
And soon his host replied ; this complaisance 
Demands acknowledgments from me. By birth 
I am a Jew. My father liv'd beside 
The ancient Po,--was rich, and spar'd no pains 
The ablest teachers to procure, that I 
Might be instructed well in every kind 
Of useful science, which might tend t'improve 
My mind. Nor was I wanting to myself. 
But read with care, the most important works 
Of celebrated men. At length a kind 
And gracious providence threw in my way 
A small but ancient book, that bore the marks 
Of Grecian origin. Its title sought, 
And seen with deep and dire amazement, was, 
The new laill of our Savioui Jesus Christ. 
Chill horror froze my blood for that vile name, 
My parents had forbidden me to speak. 
The book dropt down, and hastily I fled, — 
Determin'd not to touch the thing again. 
Long time I strove to banish from my mind 
The image of the title I had read ; 



40 TRIUMPHS OF 

But Strove in vain ; a spirit seem'd to haunt 
My steps, and whisper in my aching ears. 
The new will of our Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Dejected, and distress'd, perplex'd and lost 

In meditation on the providence, 

And attributes of our most glorious God, 

I found myself so sinful, and so vile. 

So wretched, and so utterly undone. 

That some great sacrifice seem'd requisite 

To make atonement for my numerous fauUs. 

And why, I thought, may not the sacrifice 

Of God's own son be what is requisite 1 

This once conceiv'd I soon resolv'd to find. 

If possible, that book so hated once. 

And from its pages learn the truth, if truth 

It should contain ; and after much research, 

(For privately I was compell'd to seek,) 

I found, and hid it in my bosom, where 

Its contents, by God's spirit were impress'd,— 

Tho' then I knew it not. I read alone 

Its sacred pages carefully conceal'd 

From ev'ry eye but mine : but how, O how. 

Shall I describe my feelings thro' the months. 

The many months that I employ'd in this 

Delightful, painful exercise? Doubt, hope. 

Conviction, diffidence, distress, and joy. 



DIVINE GRACE. 41 

Alternate held their sway, — or fiercely strove 

To overcome each its antagonist. 

In this hard travail of the soul I spent 

My time, 'till one blest hour whei^^in my room 

Alone, heaven fell full on me, crushing down 

My pride, and all my selfish righteousness ; 

And drawing out my soul in streams of love 

To God, and men. My doubts then fled away ; 

My faith confim'd, — my resolution fix'd 

To follow Jesus Christ, even to the cross. 

Henceforth I took no pains to hide my book, 

Which soon was seen, and to my father sent ; 

Who call'd me, from my lips to learn the truth ; — 

The truth I told, and beggM with many tears. 

That he would read that blessed book himself. 

Rage fiU'd his heart, — and fury from his eyes, 

Flash'd keen as lightning's glare, — he seiz'd, and push'd 

Me from the house ; and with appalling frowns, 

Bade me depart forever from my home. 

Compos'd, tho' destitute, I wander'd round, 

Till I espied a priest in holy robes. 

To him I told my tale, and was receiv'd 

Into his house, 'till he should find a place 

Where I might be prepar'd to serve the church. 

A place was found, and I was sent to Rome, 

To be instructed in the principles 



42 TRIUMPHS OF 

Of that corrupted church. Awhile I bore 
The supercilousness, and haughty pride, 
Of my instructors, — saw their wicked lives, — 
Heard their vain tally, — examin'd the decrees, 
And dogmas of this universal whore, 
(As protestants assert this church to be,) 
And felt dissatisfied ; — and having learn'd 
My friends were still dispos'd to persecute, 
And even take my life ; I thought it best 
To quit my native land, and go abroad : 
And having, as God orderid, met a man, 
Bound on a voyage to the holy land ; 
A pilgrimage which he had vow'd to make, — 
He took me to attend him on his way. 

We left the Italian coast, and reach'd the shores 
Of Palestine ; from whence we travell'd on 
To the fam'd city which the pilgrim sought. 
Here he remain'd awhile, discharg'd his vow, 
Grew sick, and died, bestowing all th'effects 
Which he had left on me. Asham'd and griev*d 
With what I saw, and heard from holy men. 
As they profess'd to be : I left the place. 
And found at length my present residence ; 
And here I live in quietness, and peace — 
My portion God, the Scriptures my delight; 
The Jews and Gentiles both I love, and pray 



DIVINE GRACE. 43 

For their salvation, and the promis'd day, 

When God shall bless them both with his rich grace. 

And o'er them spread the mantle of his love. 

He ceas'd ; his guest sat musing for awhile. 

Then said, kind entertainer, let me ask 

One favor more, impart to me your thoughts 

Respecting that blest day of which you speak, 

When God shall bless the nations with his love. 

His host replied, come here on the third day. 

And I will tell you what my thoughts have been 

Respecting this most interesting time. 

He bow'd, and took his leave, went to his home. 

And prais'd the Lord for what his grace had done. 



PART II 



As an enamor'd youth, whose ardent mind 
Had long been exercis'd, to win the love 
Of some fair blooming maid ; and oft distress'd 
With chilling fear, lest he should lose the prize, 
Secur'd from disappointment by the word 
Of the kind fair, — the parties all agreed. 
And day appointed, chides the ling'ring hours. 
And bids the lazy minutes speed their flight, 
And bring th'expected day : so he of whom 
We speak, impatient thought the hours too long. 
To him old time appear'd to push his car 
Along, with a dull pace ; and ling'ring minutes 
Seem'd dispos'd to stay, till their successors 
Forc'd them from their place. But time tho* slow 
Mov'd steadily along, and brought the day 



46 Triunphs of 

So much desir'd, when rising from his bed, 

He took a slight repast, and to his friend 

He went in haste, (and him he found prepared 

To bid him welcome to his humble dome), — 

Wlio led him to a seat, seated himself. 

And then without delay, or frivilous 

Excuse, address'd him in these words. " Hard task 

Respected friend, you have requir'd of me ; — 

A task that well might make an angel pause. 

For who can find out God, or can explain 

The wondrous system of redeeming love 1 

Yet what I can I'll do : but first of all, 

'Tis requisite, a moment to advert 

To God himself, the great original. 

First moving cause of all the numerous worlds, 

And all the countless souls, that fly or creep, rejoice 

Or mourn, thro' the vast universe of life. 

What then is God X A spirit infinite, — 

Being substantial, — feeling all that man 

Can feel, and infinitely more, — (except 

Proneness to ill, and pain,) complacency. 

Compassion, kindness, love ; all intellect 

And energy combined, — pervading all, — 

And ruling all in righteousness, and truth. 

If such be God, what is creation then \ 
A creature of his power of various forms, 



DIVINE GRACE. 47 

Capacities, and aspects, from the worm » 

We tread upon, up to the highest grade 

Of intellectual life. And if so great 

Creation be, that e'en our active thoughts 

Its boundaries cannot find, — how wondrous great 

Must its creator be ? But to my task. 

The type, or image of this mighty frame. 

From all eternity was kept conceal'd, 

In God's omniscient mind, in which it lay, 

As the sure pattern of his future work ; 

(And as the pattern, so the work will be,) 

This type embrac'd, (we speak of what we know), 

The fall of angels from their first estate, 

And all the strange machinery of hell. 

The sin of the first man, and all the guilt 

Of those who from him sprung. The great design 

Of saving sinners thro' God's only son, — 

And all the blessings of Immanuel's reign. 

Pursuant to his plan God suffer'd sin 

To enter his dominions, — not because 

He wanted power his creatures to uphold 

In their obedience, — nor, yet because 

Evil exists in God, — nor thro' defect 

Of wisdom, — nor because, (as some have thought,)^ 

There is an evil co-existent power, 

Which he cannot control ; but for this cause, — 



48 TRIUMPHS OP 

That he might show perfections of his own, 

Which otherwise must have forever lain 

Inoperative, unbeheld, unknown, 

And unproductive, as to any good ; — 

And to hold up to view such virtue as 

Spirits intelligent do most admire, — 

Virtue oppres'd abus'd, insulted, scorn'd, — 

Yet patient, modest, kind and good ; 

Imploring blessings on its bitterest foes ; — 

And to exhibit sin in such a form, 

As minds like ours do most abominate : 

Envy, and jealousy, and cruel hate. 

Revenge, and lust, and pride, and sneaking frauds 

Exemplified in murders, rapes, and thefts, — 

Contentions, strifes, and desolating wars,; 

That wearied by his wickedness, and pain'd 

By the black image of his hateful guilt. 

The haughty sinner's arm might be unnerv'd 

In that great day of God Almighty's power. 

When drest in robes of vengeance, Christ shall come, 

To end the long protracted life of sin, 

And pulverize the hideous monster's bones. 

For this he suffer'd man to be ensnar'd 
By the curst serpent's wiles, and left the powers 
Of hell to rove at large throughout the world ; 
To tempt, and instigate vain man to sin. 



DIVINE GRACE. 49 

For this he separated Abraham's seed 

From all the Gentile world, and bid "them cross. 

Dry shod, the deep Egyptian sea. For this 

He fed them on that barren sandy plain 

Which you so lately saw. — For this he led 

These stiff-necked tribes to Canaan's fertile ground ;^ 

Cherish'd, or punish'd as he saw 'twas best. 

For this he sent his son to bear our sins, 

And sacrifice himself for guilty men, — 

And drew a veil, (or suffer'd hell to draw 

A pitchy veil) before his brethren's eyes, 

While they the Lord of glory crucified. 

For this he rais'd up Rome to subjugate 

Their cities, burn their temple, raze their walls. 

And multiply their slain, and sent them out 

To wander thro' the world, despis'd, and scorn'd, 

Oppress'd, and trodden down on every side. 

For this he left them to revile, and hate, 

Despise, and curse, his well beloved son, — 

Their king, their kind and faithful friend, 

Who gave his life to wash away their sins : 

xA.nd for this purpose Christ will come* again. 

To give repentancet to them, and remit 

Their numerous sins, — and send in stream's of love 

His great salvation to the Gentile lands.f 



Acts, 8—19, 20, & 21. j Acts, 5—31. J Zech. 14—9. 
5 



50 TAIUMPHS OF 

And this the time of which I'm now to speak ^ 
And this the time of which I long have thought t 
And this appointed time will surely come ; 
The heathen must be giv^i lo God'^s blest son,* 
And every nation bow before his throne.f 

But this most blessed season cannot come. 

Till Jacob's chosen race possess the land 

Their fathers own'd, — God's first belov'd must share 

His favor first.f The crescent must come down, 

Or loose, or yield its sway o'er Palestine ; 

And if God has instructed me aright 

In what the Scriptures say, the Musselmen 

Will be compell'd to yield their sway o'er all 

The land that God to pious Abram gave. 

And to retire back to the far fam'd ground,- 

Where haughty Tamerlane once fixd his throne. 

Or the strong holds of savage Moslem faith 

On Afric's sultry glebe, where Moorish blood 

With negro mix'd, an iron sceptre holds. 

O'er all that own the name of Jesus Christ ; 

For so I understand the oracles 

Of everlasting truth, — and so, 'tis said, 

Mahometans themselves firmly believe, 

♦ Psa. 2—8. f Isa. 45—23, 

t Ezek. 16—8. Isa. 60—2, 3. Rom. 11—12. 15. 



©iVlNE GRACE. 51 

From a tradition handed down from one 

Of their own seers, to whom God show'd the truths 

As once to Beor's son, — or made him speak 

Like Caiaphas, unwittingly of that, 

Which he'd resolv'd, in his own proper time 

To bring to pass ; for God someiimes to men 

His purposes makes known, in some strange way, — 

That when accoraplish'd, they by looking back, 

May see the timely warning giv'n, — but now, 

It matters not from whence this story sprung : — 

I do believe it true, — for so I think. 

The Scriptures intimate ; and this once done^ 

The way will be prepared for Jacob's sons 

To enter on their old inheritance ; 

And they will enter* for they only wait 

The intimations of God's providence- 

And these once given, they'^U fly as timid doves 
Fly to their homes before a gathering storm. 
Or fleecy clouds that scud before the wind. 
Their treasures gath'red, — their accounts arranged, 
They'll bid adieu to all their Gentile friends ; — 
Meet, and become embodied on the ground 
Their fathers own'd, — blest, independent, free 
From all restraint, but God's high providence, 

* Jer- 30—2- Ezek. 11—17, 18, 19, 20. 



52 TRIUMPHS OF 

And their own righteous law : and O, my friend. 

How glorious will that day of wonders be, 

To father Abraham, when he shall see, 

His recreant sons return'd to their lost home 1 

How interesting to the traveller, 

To see men of all nations, languages. 

Tongues, manners, costumes, habits join'd in one ; — 

Men from the coast of Fez, in Moorish dress. 

And bearing marks of Moorish cruelty. 

Subjects of fluctuating France, and ting'd 

With French urbanity, and carelessness. 

Tenants of ancient Spain with jealous eyes» 

Accustom'd with strict scrutiny t'inspect 

The face of every stranger^ lest perhaps 

They might receive a spy, from the black halls 

Of curst inquisitors, and be dragg'd forth, 

Devoted victims to the " act of faith."* 

Souls of coarse mould from Russia's fur-clad climes. 

And frozen spirits fron Siberia's plains. 

Cold calculating minds from British isles. 

With plodding Germans quite as fond of gold, 

Persians with pond'rous caps, Arabs with crowns. 

Turks in their robes with oriental beards ; 

A motley host, all sons of Abraham ; — 

But yet not all his sons, but only those, 

* auto de fQ 



DIVINE GRACE. 53 

Or sons of those, who came from Babylon, 
When conquering Cyrus sent them to rebuild 
Jehovah's temple in their native land. 
These all will coalesce, amalgamate, 
And be united soon in bands of love. 
The rest tlt'omnicient will himself bring back, 
Sending his hunters* thro' the dreary wilds 
Of Asia's spacious realms; or o'er the sands 
Of Afric's sunburnt soil, or thro' the wide 
Waste howling wilderness of the new world 
Columbus found, from ice-bound Labrador 
To distant Patagonia's frozen realm ; 
And fishers too, to fetch them from the isles 
Where they for many ages liv'd unknown. 

Thus all the tribes shall come, but come unknown — 

Their records lost, and their memorials gone. 

But God himself will point them to a way 

To obviate their doubts, and end their fears ; 

For all the tribes must be distinctly known, 

Divided, and receive inheritancef 

Within the borders of the promis'd land, 

As they were graven on the sacred stones| 

In Aaron's robe, and priests, and Levites found, 

* Jer. 16—16. f Ezek. 48-29. J Ex. 28—21. 

5* 



54 TRIUMPHS OF 

Altars erected, sacrifices made 

From Kedars* flocks, and from Neboioth*s rams* 

But here his guest astonished said, will they 

Return as christians, or as Jews 1 as Jews 

His host replied, for then th'apppointed time 

Of their conversion will not have arrived, — 

But wait, and soon you'll hear the whole he spoke ; 

And thus his narrative resum'd, while they 

Engag'd in consultation where to build 

Jehovah's city, where to fix the seat 

Of their great prince, — and how divide the land 

Among the different tribes ; as yei, remain 

At loss what course they should pursue, and still 

Delaying ; and delaying still ; in hopes 

Of speedily beholding their great king. 

The Musselmen recov'ring from their fear 

Shall to each other say ; " come let us go 

And take the prey, and gather many spoilst 

From those so late return'd from foreign lands, 

And having neither walls, nor gates to bar 

Our onward way, or hinder our success. 

The thought will please ; the project be approved ; 

Their minds will be excited, spirits mov'd. 

And resolutions form'd to make th' attempt. 

* Isa. 60—9. tEzek. 38. 10, 11 and 12. 



DIVINE GRACE. 55 

As when in some rich, large metropolis 

A worthy man engaged in virtue's cause, 

Incautiously has stepp'd beyond the bound 

That cold, and calculating prudence says 

We must not pass,— and by it has arous'd 

Suspicion in the sovereign people's mind, 

An idle crowd collecting in the street. 

And softly murmuring their suspicions out. 

At length grow bold, and openly declare 

Their iix'd determination to chastise 

The insolence of this devoted man. 

So these grown bold, by interchange of thought, 

Will urge their chieftains hard to lead them on, 

But these more prudent, call a council first ; 

Deliberate, examine, and resolve 

To make the attempt, but first send messengers 

To all the Moslem tribes, and also, some 

Of Pagan faith, t' engage them in their cause, 

And bid their own prepare themselves to go 

To this unholy predatory war. 

And now they stand prepar'd and ready armed. 
According to the custom of their tribes ; — 
Gomer* with all her bands, the numerous brood 
Of Japheth's eldest son, whose spacious plains 

♦ Ezek. 38. 4, 5 and 6. 



56 TRIUMPHS OP 

FurnishM a residence for Tamerlane ; 
Once call'd Bucharia, but Tart'ry now, 
With all th' adjoining realms that intervene 
Between this country and the Arabian Sea ; 
Caubul, and Afghanistan to the shore 
Of Indus, wasliing Brumma's sacred soil, 
With many Musselmen beyond this flood. 
And bands from distant isles of eastern seas. 
With bows and arrows, scimitars and spears ; 
And with them come a troop of Persian horse 
With high and pond'rous caps upon their heads. 
Their shoulders cover'd with rich purple robes 
Of the most costly dyes ; — and near to these, 
A shaggy host of Tartar origin, 
Togarmah's brood, so call'd in ancient times ; 
Since Scythians, but at present better known 
By various names, Calmucs and Kirguses, 
Nogays, Moguls, and Daghistanians ; 
A fierce and savage race, and armed with swords. 
Bucklers and shields, and heavy lances made 
After the Cossack form. 

These in the north, while in the south 
A band no less terific, savage, fierce. 
Uncouth and wild, of Afric's tawny sons, 
Call'd Ethiopians once, distinguished now 
By other names, Mandingoes, Fezzanites, 



DIVINE GRACE. 

Housians, Bambarrans, and Tombuctooites, 
With all the wandering tribes from Niger's flood 
To barren Zaara's utmost northern bounds. 
And near to these a mighty host collects 
Of those call'd Lybians once, but now best known 
By modem names ; Tunisians, Algerines, 
Tripolitans, and Moors, a barbarous race, 
And followers of the Ishmaelitish creed; — 
Waiting the orders of their chiefs, they stand 
Prepared to go and take th' expected prize. 

And now, as if by concert, they move on, 
Two mighty armies, fir'd with avarice, 
And lust, and hatred to the chosen race 
■ Of faithful Abraham. Those not engaged 
In this nefarious scheme look on ; and some 
Encourage ; some are silent ; some reprove ; 
Of those who blame the sons of Sheba, form 
A part, who now are Abyssinians call'd ; 
And Dedanites ;* perpaps, now Wahabees ; — 
And men from Tarshish ; men whom I suppose 
To be the merchants of the British isles, 
Having the rampant Lion on their sign. 
And these will boldly say, " have you now come 
To take the prey, and gather glorious spoil, 

* Ezek. 38, 13, 



57 



58 TRIUMPHS OF 

From captives freed from their captivity, 
And now returned to their own native land : 
Men who have never injured you at all, 
But suffered every evil at your hands ; 
Retire with speed to your own native land : 
The providence of God, that kept them safe . 
Thro' their captivity, will keep them still 
From their unjust and cruel enemies." 

Thus will they be reprov'd, but will not hear, 
But hasten on, enter the promis'd land 
In two divisions, from the north and south. 
And plunder, burn and slay where'er they go ; 
And then will God arise in all his might, 
And show his fury in his frowning face. 
And plead with pestilence, and fire, and blood, 
With that devoted band. (Mountains will shake. 
Hills fall, earth tremble, birds and beasts retire. 
To hide themselves from his terrific frown.) 
(Discord will also rise within the host ; — 
Tartars with Persians fight ; Mahometans 
With Pagans : Nogays with Afghanistans ; 
Till thousands fall upon the bloody field :) 
And to complete their overthrow, he'll rain 
Great hail-stones,* and tempestuous fire, and leave 

* Ezek. 38. 21 and 22. 



DIVINE GRACE. 59 

A sixth part only of the whole alive. 
But still in this he will not show himself 
In his own proper form, the form in which 
He show'd himself to Moses in the mount ; 
The form in which he'll show himself again 
When seated on his throne to judge the world. 

While this is passing on the northern verge 

Of Canaan's ancient ground, the southern band 

Of proud invaders pressing fiercely on, 

Will reach the entrance of Jerusalem, 

Rush in, and half the city seize, and half 

Of its inhabitants, at once reduce 

To an unhappy, miserable state 

Of hard captivity : and then the Lord 

Himself will come in his own glorious form,* 

And stand revealed, Jesus of Nazareth : 

The anointed son of God, and Israel's king; 

Upon the Mount of Olives, on the east 

Of our Jerusalem, and with his breath 

Consume, destroy, and make this mighty host 

Evaporate, and perish from the earth, — 

Except a few whom he will leave to be 

His witnesses, and messengers to those 

Who, when they took their journey, staid at home. 

♦ Zech. 14—2, 3 and 4. 



60 TRIUMPHS OP 

Then shall this mountain cleave and burst in twain, 
Half moving towards the north, half south, and leave 
A spacious valley 'twixt the several parts ; 
And then shall Israel flee before the Lord, 
As once they fled from Sinai's burning mount. 

And then shall he, Jehovah, Jesus, God, 

The king immortal, and invisible, 

Invisible before, but now reveal'd. 

And seen e'en as he is, pour his rich grace 

In copious streams injo his people's hearts : — 

The grace of supplication, penitence, 

And prayer, and they shall look, with wond'ringeyes, 

On him whom once they pierc'd,* and see the wounds 

Their cruelty had made, and mourn, as one 

That mourns an only son, — and weep, yes, weep 

With all the bitterness of those who drop 

Their scalding tears upon the lifeless corpse 

Of their beloved, darling, first born child. 

Then all the families will mourn apart. 

And think of him alone they've injured most. 

(For, notwithstanding we oft seek to find 

A friend to share our griefs, there is a grief. 

The grief of a true penitent, that seeks 

To be alone, and have no witness, while 

* Zech. 12. 10, 11, 12 and 13. 



DIVINE GRACE. 61 

It pours its earnest cries into the ears 
Of the omniscient God.) Then will they say, 
When they behold what their kind sovereign's done, 
Blessed* thrice blessed he, that thus has come 
To save us from our cruel, savage foes. 

But Ire re his guest unable to maintain 

His feelings, cried, o'erwhelmed with tender love, 

O, glorious grace, wond'rous benevolence ! 

Of this adorable, adored one 

To load with favors those who persecute, 

And bless with richest blessings those who hate. 

And bring salvation down to those who curse. 

And have for ages curs'd his precious name ; 

What better course, what more effectual way 

CoulJ have been chosen to subdue their pride, 

And overwhelm with shame their guilty souls, 

And make them loathe themselves for all their sins. 

'Tis true, 'tis true, his much mov'd host replied, 

Great, great, his goodness to his ancient friends 

And great his goodness too to us, whose eyes 

He open'd, and whose 'sinful hearts he cleansed 

From their impurities, and with his blood 

Softened the stone, and turned it into flesh. 

All truth, the guest replied, I feel it so ; 

* Mat. 23—39. 

6 



G2 TRftJMFHS 6^^ 

My heart was once as hard as adamant ; 
And the affecting story yoa have told 
Would not have mov'd me, nor excited love^ 
But now I love, rejoice, exult, and feel 
Consummate happiness, while briny tears. 
Like rivers, course along my furrow'd cheeks. 
The Jew replied ," think not a change of heart 
Is all we want to make, and keep us blest, 
God must himself preserve, us being changed,, 
And pour continual streams of his own love 
Into our torpid hearts, lest we should sink 
Into a state of apathy and death. 
This love you feel, — and I have often felt. 
And hope to feel in the blest realms above, 
Where seeing face to face the blessed king, 
I shall be changed, as by the spirit's power. 
Into his image, and from a glorious, pass 
To a condition far more glorious still. 
The Gentile said: I owe you much dear friend^ 
For the instruction you've already giv*n. 
But I have always thought, the Jews convinced 
Of their deep guilt by gospel ministers 
Of Gentile origin would be reclaimed, 
And brought to own the doctrine of the cross. 
No, never, never, cried the earnest Jew, 
The arguments of Gentiles they'll not hear, 
Or if they should, their hard obdurate hearts 



DIVINE GRACE, 

Would instantly repel them, as the steel 
Polish'd with nicest care repels the shaft 
Thrown by a feeble hand ; nor will God's son 
Permit a Jew or Gentile to perform 
The task the father gave to him alone, 
For him the father hath ordain'd to bring 
The scattered tribes of helpless Israel home, 
And to them give repentance unto life, 
With the remission of their numerous sins. 

But time waits not, I therefore haste to speak 
Of blest Immanuel's reign ; for now his reign 
Will certainly begin ; and from this time 
The happy thousand years, in which he'll sway 
The sceptre of the world, commence their date ; 
For now he'll come from Esau's* ancient seat. 
With garments dyed in blood, and come alone 
To tread the wine press of his father's wrath ; 
For this the day of vengeance, this the year 
Of Zion's controversy with her foes. 
But still his enemies will not, as yet. 
Be all subdued, the woman riding on 
The scarlet colour'd beast will yet remain; 
But she must perish too ; but of her fall 
I'll speak hereafter, when the period comes 

* Isa, 63—1, 2, 3, 



64 TRIUMPHS OF 

To which her tale belongs ; for ere she fall 

Two great events, foretold in prophecies, 

Must come to pass ; the Devil must be bound, 

A mighty angel with a heavy chain , 

And having in his hand thfe fa^tal key,* 

That shuts the mouth of the unfathom'd pit„ 

A real angel, one perhaps who once 

Was a companion of the wicked one 

Before he fell, will come and bind him fast ; 

And hurl him and his legions headlong down 

To the dark mansions of their black abode. 

A portion of the dead will then arise ; 

What portion is not clear ; but some, as seme 

Arose when prince Immanuel left his tomb,t 

As trophies of his victory when he went 

With powers and principalities in chains, 

And twenty thousand chariots| in his train. 

Up to his father's court, with glory crown'd, 

And heav'n's first herald cried with piercing voice^ ' 

Lift up your heads,§ ye everlasting doors, 

And let the blessed king of glory in. 

So some will now arise for some must rise 

And reignjl with him, and rule as with a rod 

Of rigid iron those who still refuse 

To own his sway. 

* Rev. 20—1, 2, 3. f Mat. 27—52, 53. J Psa. 68—17, I8» 
§ Psa. 24—7. II Rev. 20—4. 2—26. 28. 



DIVINE GRACE. 65 

And now another scene 
Must be presented soon, another war 
Be carried on. The parties Jesus Christ* 
Leading his bands, — and his inveterate foes ; ► 
But when or where begun I cannot say ; 
Perhaps the rider of the scarlet beast, — 
Fearing the loss of power will make th' attempt 
To rouse the nations that obey her will 
To make a desperate effort to sustain 
Her sinking cause ; and send her messenger 
To those Mahometans who did not go 
To the great battle, — or who disbelieve 
The terrible report the fugutives 
Brought back, — or wi^h to gain themselves a name, 
By bold, and daring deeds in feats of arms, 
And to the pagans who refuse to own 
Any but idol gods of wood and stone. 
For this is sure (the Scriptures state the fact) 
The beastf and pseudo prophet will combine, 
With the old dragon, and send messengers 
Like frogs, to all the nations of the earth 
To gather them to battle on the day 
Ordained to manifest the almighty's power. 

And then the faithful one, Israel's true king, 

* Rev. 19—11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. 
t Rev. 16—13, 14 

6* 



66 



TRIUMPHS OF 



With his appointed band will take the fieMy 

For those that overcome in the fierce war 

That sin and satan wage with God^s elect 

Must with their blessed Saviour sit* on thrones^ 

And rule the nations with an iron rod 

And break their strength, as angry potter's break 

The fragile earthen bowL But when or how 

Can this be done if not on that great day 

Of wliich I speak? Christ must be present theo 

Among his risen saints, and with his hand 

Seize on the beast and the false prophet too 

And cast them both alive into a lake 

Burning with fire, — tempestuous sulph'rous fire. 

And all the remnant slay with that fierce sword 

Of bickering flame that issues from his mouth 

And, as I think, I may with safety say, 

'Tis probable, this battle will be fought 

On papal ground ; the wine press of God's wrath,. 

When streams of blood will flow quite to the bits^ 

That curb their furious steeds, f in space 'tis said. 

Full sixteen hundred measur'd furlongs round. 

The length, and breadth of all the papal states^ 

Thus much is sure polluted Rome must fall, 

And sink perhaps in floods of liquid fire, 

Ajad to accomplish this, God's providence 

Appears some preparations to have made. 

* Rev. 2—27. 3—21. t Rev. 14— 2^ 



BtVlNE GRACE. 67 

Old iEtna, and Vesuvius cherish fires 
Of vast amount, and of immense extent, 
And this is clearly seen when they throw oft' 
Their surplus matter from the'ir burden'd breasts. 
And from their wide extended mouths send up 
Columns of pointed flames mingled with smoke, 
And monstrous burning rocks, ten thousand feet 
Into the blasted air ; and these fierce fires 
Extend for aught we know, for many leagues, 
And burn beneath the mould'ring walls of Rome, 
And at th' appointed time, will force their way 
Up to the world above, and open wide 
A gaping grave for this devoted town. 
And all its tenants ; cardinals, and nuns. 
And Jesuits, and monks with all their train. 
And even now these subterranean fires 
Produce effect upon her wither'd soil, 
And not far distant from her shatter'd gates, 
And from their rising fumes or other cause. 
Not rightly understood, loosen the ground. 
And make it porous, spongy, and unfit 
To be improved, — emitting poison'd air. 
Miasma, and malaria that drive 
The sick'ning peasant to the neighboring hills. 
But whether right or wrong in these details, 
I'm sure she'll burn, and send up curling clouds 



6S TRIUMPHS OF 

Of sulph'rous smoke,* appalling to the sight, 

Into the higher regions of the air ; 

And her devoted friends standing far off. 

For fear of the fierce quivering flame shall make 

A fearful lamentation at her fall : 

Then shall the heavens rejoice, and angels sing. 

And prophets, saints, and martyrs raise their voice 

And with triumphant hallelujahs praise 

Tlje everlasting king. 

The conflici o'er, his enemies destroy'd, 

His saints aveng'd ; the mighty prince of peace, 

Will turn his thoughts tow'ards the accomplishment 

Of the great object now to be compass'd ; 

Th' establishment of righteousness, and peace. 

And trutbf and mercy thro' the spacious earth. 

And in effecting this, he'll first begin. 

With Jacob's favor'd race, and write his laws 

Upon their hearts,{ and print them in their minds ; 

Pour his rich grace into their souls, in streams 

Of penitence, and faith, and holy love. 

And draw them on with cords they'll break no more 

And being drawn they'll run with eager haste 

His orders to obey, his smiles t' enjoy, 

And all his wishes to anticipate. 

* Rev. 18—8, 9, 10. f Isa. 42—4. 

X Jer. 31— 33, 34. 



DIVINE GRACE. 69 

And then according to his will made known 
By that fam'd seer, (who by the river's side 
Beheld the great machine* of providence, 
With fourfold visage to denote the four 
Great periods of time, in which his church 
The deepest interest had ; an image high, 
Terrific, grand, sparkling like burnish'd brass, 
And having wheels of many various kinds ; 
Wheels within wheels, concentric, opposite, — 
Transverse, or perpendicular, yet all. 
As by one spirit mov'd, and to one end ; 
Going and coming with the lightning's speed, 
Directed by a power in human form,! 
Seated upon a lofty sapphire throne.) 
They'll separate the tribes divide the land, 
And give to each his own appointed share. 
But how, his guest inquir'd, can they the tribes, 
Distinguish their memorials lost ? 
God will provide a way the Jew return'd. 
Perhaps by Urim where the sacred stones 
Bearing their names, like those that Aaron wore 
Will indicate their family and tribe, 
Or in some other way that God will show : 
For they must be divided and receive 
Their several portions in the promis'd land, 

♦ Ezek. 1st— 4, 5 and 6. f Ezek. 1—26 and 27. 



70 TRIUMPHS OF 

For all of Jacob's race, where e'er they be, 

In desert, or in mountain, or in isle 

Of the remotest sea, must be brought home 

To share the bk'ssings of Iramanuel's reign. 

The land divided ; then they'll contemplate 

The structure of their great metropolis : 

The city of the everlasting king ; 

Portray 'd by the same prophet who design'd 

The chart that fix'd the bound'ries of their tribes; 

Begin the work, raise walls, and set up gates ; 

Erect a temple,* so constructed as 

To suit the pattern that Ezekiel gave, 

And celebrate with songs the the joyful day 

That sees it finish'd and prepar'd to be 

The seat of the great heir of heaven and earth. 

This city's form! portrayed by Moses first, 

When Israel's host encamp'd on Sinai's plain, 

Will be a type of that Jerusalem| 

Which from the holy throne of God will come. 

Like a fair bride down to the abodes of men, 

Glitt'ring in gems, and cloth'd in dazzling light, 

The seat of everlasting blessedness : 

And will itself be splendid, and renown'd, 

A city sought! out by the Gentile world, 

* Ezek. 40th Chap. f Num. 10—1,2, &c. 

I Rev, 21—12, 13, &c, § Isa. 63—12, 



DIVINE GRACK. 71 

But of the Gentile world, reply'd his guest, 

You have not spoke since your account was closed 

Of the most dreadful fall of guilty Rome. 

The Gentile world, replied his patient host, 

Struck with amazement at the dire result 

Of the great battle, will as one bereft 

Of reason stand amaz'd, perplex'd, and lost 

In painful, anxious, vacillating thought. 

At length the Saviour's friends stirr'd up and mov'd 

By his own spirit will exert tliemselves 

To take advantage of this great event 

And preach the gospel with unwearied zeal 

Among the various nations of the globe. 

While those who 'scaped God's wrath in Palestine 

Will magnify the power of Israel's king. 

And those who saw the fearful fall of Rome 

Will often speak of the distressing scene, 

And teach the world to fear Jehovah's name. 

And then shall cruel superstition's bands 

Asunder burst, and slav'ry's galling chains 

Drop from the bloody, chaff'd and tortur'd limbs 

Of such as were in painful bondage kept. 

Manners will change, and customs pass away. 

No mitre will adorn the bishop's brow 

Nor scarf nor sash the vicar decorate ; 

Monks from their dens will creep without their cowls 

And nuns forsake their creeds to join in prayer 



72 TRIUMPHS OF 

With large promiscuous groups of penitents. 
The painted image, gilded crucifix 
And burning taper will be laid aside, 
And all men seek th' eternal God to serve 
In spirit, truth, and humble fervent love. 

The fierce Mahometan will stop to hear 
The word of God. The Tartar tie his horse, 
And merchant put his pressing journey ofi*. 
To listen to the messages of grace. 
The Lama's watchful priests will quit their posts 
Forsake their god, and travel many leagues 
To hear and learn the doctrine of the cross. 
The crafty Bramin wholly lose his sway 
Over the blinded conscience of his slave. 
The iron chain of caste be broke in twain 
And human minds from bigotry set free. 
The worshippers of Fo will lend their ears 
To hear the stranger "tell his wond'rous tale 
And Java's shores, and Borneo's distant woods 
Resound with supplications to the Lord. 
Degraded Egypt lift imploring eyes. 
And Ethiopia stretch her hands to God. 
The savage Moors, Christ's messengers invite. 
And wand'ring Arab's cross Zahara's plain. 
To learn more perfectly, what God has done ; 
While pagans of the south their gods resign, 



DIVINE GRACE. 7S 

To worship him that made both heaven and earth. 

But let us now proceed to contemplate 

Another part of this important work, _ 

The full establishment of Christ's blest reign 

In all its power and glory on the earth. 

The earth you know was cursed* when Adam fell, 

Its fairest flowers were lost ; its choicest fruits 

Destroy'd, and thorns, and thistles' prickly leafs 

Usurp'd their place. Luxuriant fertile plains 

Were turn'd to frightful deserts : shady woods 

And mighty forests suddenly were chang'd 

To a wide waste, and howling wildeness. 

This curse, the second Adam must remove; 

Bring the departed fruits back to their place. 

And to their station all the flowers restore ; 

Turn barren deserts into fruitful fields, 

And wildernesses into woods again. 

But this important work must first begin 

In ancient Canaan's highly fdvor'd land. 

But still 'twill not begin till Judah's king 

Shall take his seat upon his lofty throne, 

In his own housel within the spacious walls 

Of that new city nam'd, the Lord is there.| 

Then from this house shall flow two sacred streams : 



♦ Gen. 3—17, 13. ] Ezek. 43—7. I Ezek. 48—35. 

7 



74 



TRIUMPHS OS* 



One westward* to the borders of the sea 

That laves the northern shores of Africa. 

The other eastwardf to the stagnant pool, 

Where once old Sodom stood, whose impious sons^ 

Provok'd the Lord to send tempestuous fire 

And burn their city up ; a pool unfit 

For any kind of use; in which no ships 

Their whit'ned sails display ; no gallies ply ; 

No cheerful sailor hails the rising day ; 

No merchant watches the approaching ship 

Laden with treasures for his numerous stores, 

A filthy pool in which no fish can live 

Of any use to man. Waters impure, 

Dead, decompos'd, unblest, their life destroyed 

By the fierce blasting lightning's heavy stroke ; 

And on whose barren shore no fruit is found, 

Except an apple pleasent as *tis said 

To look upon, but loathsome to the taste ; 

Fit emblem of the hideous monster sin. 

Who in temptation wears a smilling face. 

But in the end is terrible as hell. 

Yet all these poison'd waters must be heal'd,f 

Such virtue will the blessed stream contain, 

That all impurities will be expell'd. 

And all the proper qualities restorM 

♦ Zech. 14-8. t Ezek. 47—8. | Ezek. 47—8, 9, tO, jil, n. 



DIVINE GRACE. 75 

That purest waters have. The fish will live, 
And numerous fishers stand upon the shores. 
The barren nature of the desert cur'd, 
And fruitful trees be planted on the ground ; 
And the great work of mercy here begun, 
Will quickly reach to Ishmael's arid land. 
Renew the barren plains of wretched Ham, 
Fill Asia's steppes with towns and villages. 
And make dry Atacama's region smile. 

And then the earth shall yield her full increase* 

And rich delicious fruits, and beauteous flowers 

Adorn the plains, and floursh on the hills; 

Large stately trees shall spread their branching boughs 

Where stunted shrubs, and bushes grew before ; 

The steril wilderness soften'd with show'rs 

Arid then consolidated by the rays 

Of the all powerful sun, made potent, strong, 

And energetic to compact, compress. 

And vivify, by him who kindled first 

Its blazing fires, will gradually become 

A mighty forest, interspersed with vines 

Loaded with luscious grapes of various kinds. 

But this is but an item of his grace ; 

He'll take the human heart into his hand, 

* Psalm 67. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 



76 TRIUMPHS OF 

And mould it to his wish : its nature change ; 

Its strong propensities to ill remove, 

Subdue its passions, and eradicate 

Its lusts, the thorns and hriers of the soul; 

Inluse his grace, and early sanctify 

All its affections, wishes, and desires. 

And by his gracious spirit make each string. 

And every chord, vibrate with heavenly love. 

Then will the heavens rejoice, and open wide 

Their spacious gates to pour salvation down ; 

The tempter bound ; his legions all confin'd. 

And naught to check a friendly intercourse 

'Twixt God and man. Then songs of grateful prais© 

From earth*s remotest regions shall ascend. 

And one great, joyful jubilee be kept 

Thro' the whole period of ImmanuePs reign ; 

The sound of war shall never more be heard. 

Nor hostile armies meet in dread array ; 

No more the tinmpet summon to the charge. 

Nor the shrill fife nor heavy drum proclaim 

Battalions moving to the bloody scene; 

But spears be turn'd to knives,* and swords to shares. 

To prune the vine, and cultivate the ground; 

The mines no more be ransack'd to afford 

* Isaiah 2—4. Mic. 4—3. 



DIVINE GRACE. 77 

Materials for the life destroying ball, 
Nor furnaces their hissing fires employ, 
To liquify the ore design'd to form 
The huge and heavy cannon's solid mass ; 
No curiously contriv'd machine shall groan 
In boring out its bowels for a place 
To lodge the smutty dust, and iron ball. 
But all the minerals which the world affords 
Be made to serve the interests of mankind. 

Then shall the world of life again return 
To its original, and happy state. 
And animated nature feel a change 
Thro' all her numerous interesting tribes J 
The savage tiger shall no more be chain'd, 
Nor the fierce lion cag'd, but rove at large 
Harmless, unfeared, and mingle with the herd 
That graze the verdant mead ; the playful kid 
And spotted leopard* shall lie down in peace, 
And sweetly sleep in the refreshing shade ; 
The furious bear, and gentle cow shall feed 
In the same field, and find congenial food ; 
The sucking child with his soft hand shall stop 
The darken'd hole of the most spiteful asp, 
And little children innocently play 

* Isaiali 11—6, 7, 8, 9. 

7* 



f78 TRIUMPHS OV 

With the terrific, frightful cockatrice ; 

And universal harmony and love 

Spread their soft charms o'er all the earth born race 

And from the brute to rational shall pass 

The influence of this transforming power. 

And furious bigots mingle with the meek, 

And haughty kings sit down wiih humble saints> 

And love, enchanting love, unbounded reign 

In all the hearts of all the sons of men. 

And now, we turn our eyes to other scenes, 

And contemplate the prosperous happy state 

Of Jacoh's sons in their own native land. 

Their city built and polity restor'd, 

Their temple rais'd, and priesthood organized, 

Their God return'd, and seated Dn his throne 

Wrapt in a cloud of glory such as that. 

Which guided Israel in the wilderntjss, 

Wlien heaven its spacious store house open'd wide^ 

And in full measure, furnished men with food ; 

They'll offer up their iioly sacrifice, 

Nebaioth's rams, and Kedar's chosen flocks. 

But I had thought, th' inquiring Gentile said» 

That Jewish sacrifices were a type 

Oi the great sacrifice of God's dear Son, 

And that once made, no place would e'er be found 

For sacrifice again. Gentiles 'tis true, 



DIVINE GRACE. 79 

Replied his host, have always understood 

The matter thus ; but 'tis not so with Jews, 

We all believe the prophets told tiie truth, 

And we believe with firm unwavering faith, 

That all the prophecies will be fulfiird; 

Nor can I understand them otherwise 

Than I have told you ; firmly I believe 

My scatter'd, injur'd kinsmen will return 

To that good land which God to Abram gave, 

And to his seed, by promises as firm 

As his eternal throne; and I believe 

They'll worship him by off.;rini;s from the fold, 

And lie'll accept the offering: at their hands. 

But why, dear friend, sliould yo.i, or others think 

It strange, that Jews should ofler sacrifice, 

'As a memorial of the atonement made 

By him whom they themselves, h^d crucified, 

And thro' whose blood alone they pardon find 1 

Tiio Jews were actors in the crutd scene ; 

Chief instigators of the bloody deed ; 

And more than any others ought to have, 

Th(!ir minds imprcss'd with deep and lasting grief, 

For what their hands have done ; but what will more 

Impress their minds, or more directly call 

Their fix'd attention to their cruel deeds, 

Than streams of blood on their own altars spilt 1 



80 li'RlUMPHS OP 

But here again, his anxious guest inquir'd : 

Will the whole Gentile world then be compell'd 

To offer sacrifices up to God. 

No, said the Jew, not as I think, but still. 

They'll be allow'd when e're they choose to bring 

Their voluntary offerings to their king; 

But Jewish priests, on Jewish altars must. 

Make all their offerings to the Lord of hosts ; 

For thus the sacred oracles declare. 

That tiioy must be God's priests,* and minister 

In holy things to him, and in their turn 

Receive the offerings which the strangers bring 

From fields, and vineyards of their own at home. 

But now I've said enough of this, and haste 

To lead your ardent mind to contemplate 

Tie full blown glories of Immanuel's reign. 

The tesnpter, as we've said before, shut up, 

Confin'.l, and buried in his gloc^my cell. 

And all his miscreant host in darkness lodg*d, 

And left to gnaw their mutilated tongues, 

No longer will be able to seduce. 

Unstable souls from^ their allegiance 

To God their benefactor, and their friend. 

The Saviour on the throne, possessing power 

Unlimited, exhaustless, to subdue 

* Isa. 61. 6. 



DIVINE GRACE. 



81 



All to himself. The favor'd saints rais'd up 
And sitting with him on his glorious throne, 
Their painful labors past, their pleasant come, 
Angels, his ministers to hurry on 
The chariot of salvation round the earth ; 
And charg'd by his great Father to destroy 
All Satan's works, and fill the spacious earth 
With knowledge of God's righteousness and truth. 
As waters fill the channels of the sea. 
What shall impede, obstruct, or bar his way. 

But here the Gentile said ; do you believe 
The saints will rise, and reign, with Christ on earth 
In their own proper forms, be seen and known. 
And hold converse with men. The Jew replied. 
Of this I'm sure, the saints will rise and reign 
A thousand years on earth, and sit on thrones. 
And rule the nations with an iron rod ; 
But whether they'll be visible or not. 
Is not for me to sa}^ Perhaps they may 
Sometimes appear, as angels did of old. 
Or as the saints that rose when Jesus died. 
And at his resurrection coming forth. 
Went thro' the holy city, and appear'd 
Not to a (ew, but many, who both saw 
And testified to what they saw, else how 
Could those have known who have proclaim'd the fact 1 



82 



TRIUMPHS OP 



In circumstances then like these how fair 

The prospects of the favor'd sons of men? 

But all their prospects they will realize 

And more than all, for neither eye hath seen, 

Nor ear hath heard what blessings are reserv'd 

For these most interesting joyful days. 

The heavens shall pour down floods of righteousness, 

And equity and truth run thro' the streets 

Of cities now polluted, and disgrac'd 

With fornications, and adulteries. 

Assassinations, murders, thefts, and lies. 

Cold, barren hearts that never tasted good, 

Wrapt up in-sinful selfishness and pride, 

Soften'd by showers of grace, and streams of love, 

From that eternal fountain which supplies 

The universe from its unfailing source. 

With every kind affection, every joy. 

And every blessing which the good possess, 

Shall bear rich fruits of tenderness, and love, 

And spacious harvests reap of peace, and joy. » 

Proud, haughty, vain, and irritable souls 

That " kindle at the shadow of wrong:" 

And in their furious passions risk their all ; 

Their hopes, and all their prospects here below, 

The comfort of their families, and friends, 

And their eternal all, in savage fight, 



DIVISE GRACE. 83 

And worse than savage fight, with rifles, swords, 
Or pistols charg'd by friends with leaden death, 
Shall turn to gentle, kind, forgiving men. 
Patient and meek, with lowliness of heart 
Portray'd in living colors in their walk, 
And all their conversation with the world ; 
List'ning with condescension to rebukes 
From little babes, when e'er they deviate 
From duty's path, and with true penitence, 
Confessing all their numerous faults to God. 

Low, avaricious minds, curs't Mammons brood 
With eyes bent to the earth, and hands prepared, 
Its treasures to secure where ever found. 
By sublilly, oppression, or by fraud, — 
Shall see and hate their own deformiry ; 
Behold, and love fair virtue's glorious form. 
Their grov'ljng passions die, and hearts expand 
With pure, benevolent, and holy love. 
Degraded spirits, gross licentious souls, 
Buried in deep pollution's deepest den ; 
Shameless, unfeeling, given to ev'ry vice, 
Intemp'rance, and profaneness, lust and hate ; 
Abandon'd, ruin'd, overthrown, and lost 
Beyond the reach of any human arm ; 
Shall feel their bosoms with contrition swell ; 
And tears spontaneous rolling down their cheeks, 



84 TRIUMPHS OP 

In copious streams, in view of what they are 

And what they've done; abhor and loathe themselves 

For all their follies ; lift their wond'ring eyes 

Up to the glorious heav'ns, wliere virtue sits 

Enthron'd in purest light ; array'd in robes 

White as the snow that falls on liermon's brow, 

And weep, and weep to think themselves so vile ; 

And mourn in silent lofts and lontly cells. 

Their great unworthiness, and dreadful guilt, 

*Till mercy's genlle voice shall bid them hope, 

And point ihem, to the all atoning blood 

That flovv'd from our Imnianuel's swelling veins. 

While on the cross he hung : the precious blood 

That washes out the deepest stains of guilt, 

The vilest garment cleans, and covers up 

The hideous scars, and heals the ghastly wounds 

The monster sin has made ; — and turn their moans 

To songs of cheerful animated praise. 

Unfeeling men who can behold unmov'd 
The deepest sorrow or severest pain, 
And with the sufferer never sympathise, 
Shall feel the spirit's arrows in their hearts, 
And learn to shed their tears with those who weep. 
Degenerate souls who live in narrow spheres 
Which their contracted minds taught them to tread, 
Suspicious, envious, jealous, ill-dispos'd ; 



DIVINE GRACE. 85 

jRetiring from the cheerful walks of men, 

To live in solitude, contempt, and scorn 

Of all the joys society can give, 

Shall findi their hearts renew'd, their feelings chang'd, 

And fly^ith love and joy, to meet their friends. 

But more I need not say ; all knees will how. 

And every tongue will praise the Saviour's name. 

And contemplate, my friend, the glorious scene — 

See faithful Abraham's sons, a chosen race. 

Once first, then last, and now the first again 

Of all the various nations earth maintains. 

Look tiiro' the length'ned borders of their land. 

And mark the wondrous change, for you beheld 

Its desolation, when you travel'd through, 

From Hamath's border to the utmost bound, 

Where thirsty Israelites with Moses strove. 

See dreary wastes to fertile meadows turned. 

And barren heaths to cultivated fields ; 

See the rich, luscious grapes, in clusters hang. 

And the large presses running o'er with wine ; 

See fields of waving wheat, and flocks and herds 

Grazing in pastures by the mountain's side. . 

See the old wastes* repaired, the ruins rais'd ; 

And desolations of two thousand years. 

All vanish, disappear, and pass away 

As dreams, that vanish at the morning light. 

* Isaiah 64 — 4. ' 

8 



86 TRIUMPHS OF 

See villages spring up, new cities rise, 

New temples show themselves, and art combine 

With nature, to improve this favor'd land. 

Then shall the cities of this ransom'd race, 
In all their streets, see venerable men 
Supporting their declining age with staves,* 
And greeting one another with delight. 
And beautous children playing by their side. 
With all the sportive glee of innocence. 
Then shall the father long enjoy his home, 
And see his children's children round him rise. 
Joyous and happy in their heritage. 
Then fervent prayers shall every where ascend. 
And happy households 'round their altars bend :: 
While from the crowded temples, songs arise 
In joyful concert, to the lofty skies. 
Nor shall a less important change take place 
In other parts of this terraqueous globe ; 
For as I've said, the kindly healing power 
Will thro' all nature run ; and heavenly love 
Spread its soft mantle o'er the blasted world ; 
Blasted by the tremendous, fatal curse, 
Proceeding from God's lips in paradise ; 
The vestiges of satan's with'ring feet, 
And hateful tracks of his accursed host, 
* Zech. 8—3, 4, 5. Isaiah 65—22. 



DIVINE GRACE. 87 

JoinM to the impious deeds of sinful men. 
The curse remov'd, the earth will be restor'd 
To its primeval beauty ; thistles die,* 
And rich, luxuriant herbage, clothe its plains. 
The fruitful vallies then, shall furnish bread 
More than sufficient for the wants of men ; 
And hills abundant pasture to the herds 
That graze their verdant tops ; the docile earth 
Its secret treasures yield with liberal hand ; 
Ores of all kinds, gold, silver, precious stones ; 
And neither slaves, nor pris'ners kept in chains. 
To work in dark, unwholesome, loathsome cells ; 
But labor free, and willingly performed, 
With cheerful, easy hand, will quickly find 
The richest treasures of the richest mines ; 
And broad extensive seas, their treasures give 
With ready complaisance, to pious men. 

Then commerce shall be free, and intercourse 
Unshackled, unrestrained, by selfish laws 
That selfish nations make, their revenues 
To guard from skilful smuggler's numerous wiles. 
The happy cheerful sailor then shall sing, 
Deliver'd from the fear of furious storms ; 
(For furious raging storms no more will sweep 
O'er the vex'd bosom of the troubled deep.) 
* Isaiah 55—13. 



88 'TRItrMFHlS OF 

And every sea, see peaceful vessels glide 

O'er its smooth surface, to their destin'd ports.^ 

No heavy irons then will be prepar'd 

To curb the mutineer, or guard the ship 

From dangerous rebellion on her way. 

Then thro' th' extensive regions of the earthy 

Firm health abide, and pale disease no more 

Invade the rosy cheek of blooming youth ; 

Or raging fevers hurry to the tomb 

Athletic, healthy men — ^torn from their friends 

And families, and sent in haste, to dwell 

In the dark chambers of the silent grave. 

No more the tender mother shall behold 

Her darling child distress'd with cruel croup, 

Convuls'd with painfid fits, or breathing out 

Its little quiet soul, on her soft lap^ 

Thro' diarrhea's persevering rage.' 

No more the weeping widow sit and mourn. 

In darken'd room, her youthful husband gone 

To his long home, torn from her soft embrace, 

To feed fierce vampires in the clammy dust. 

No more the sighing, groaning husband, see 

His beauteous bride borne from his house away 

To her dark, dismal, lonely bed of clay ; 

A tender infant left to shed its tears, 

On his pain'd breast, and pour its piercing cries 

Into his aching and distracted ears : 



, SIVINE GRACE. 89 

A sad memorial of its mother's love. 

No more shall pestilential maladies, 

Destructive plagues, and frightful choleras. 

Fly thro' the air, or travel under ground, 

From villages to cities, hills to plains. 

Rivers to lakes, and mountains into vales ; 

And crossing mighty oceans in their way. 

To execute God's judgments in the earth ; 

Seizing their victims as they pass along 

^y thousands, and by millions ; hurrying down 

To undistinguish'd graves, fathers and sons. 

Husbands and wives, neighbors and friends unmov'd, 

Unpitying, unaffected by the sight 

Of keenest anguish, or severest pain. 

No more shall tempests lay the forests low. 

Nor prostrate cities in their mad career. 

No more the swift-wing'd lightning rend the oak, 

Or take men's lives away by its rude shock. 

No more the fierce tempestuous hurricane. 

Sweep o'er the occidental Indian isles, 

Call'd by the moans of slaves, from northern skies. 

To desolate the proud oppressor's ground. 

No more the simoon, in a hazy cloud. 

Concealing its tremendous power, shall sweep 

O'er the devoted soil of ancient Ham, 

Conveying poison underneath its cloak, 
8* 



90 TRIUMPHS OF 

And carrying ghastly death within its arras^ 

No more sirrocco's with'rin^ breath shall reach 

The fair Italian shore, rous'd by the crimes 

First of old Pagan Rome, a monstrous beast, 

Diverse from every other animal, 

Devouring nations in a single day ; 

Annihilating kingdoms with a frown, 

And filling the wide circle of the world 

With the dread terror of her hated name. 

And since, by the great shameless whore that rides 

The scarlet-color'd beast ; whose cup has pass'd 

Thro' great and numerous nations, fill'd with dregs 

Of the worst kind, abominable things ; 

Adulteries, fornications, thefts and lies, 

Sorceries, indulgences, and hateful deeds 

Of almost every kind, that one can name. 

And for whose punishment, as I have said, 

God's vengeance only waits the proper time. 

The floods no more sweep cities from their sites, 

Or carry off the produce of the fields ; 

And leave th' astonish'd swain to feed on herbs, 

Or roots, or in despair lie down and die. 

The fire no more shall pass its proper bounds, 
To spoil the works of heaven-protected man. 
No more shall ^tna send her pointed spires 
Of quiv'ring flame, up to the lofty skies ; 



DiVlNE GRACE. 91 

Or hurl her burning rocks, with hissing sound, 

Ten thousand feet into the withered air. 

No more Vesuvius pour her scalding streams 

Of melted lava, down her panting sides, 

Destroying vineyards, forests, cottages ; 

O'erwhelraing fields, and cultivated plains, 

And burying cities in its burning womb. 

No more shall Hecla stir her sleeping fires, 

Or pour her molten bowels from her mouth 

To devastate the quiet peasant's field. 

And make poor Iceland's poor and needy sons, 

More needy still. 

No more shall Kirua's mouth breathe streams of fire, 

To terrify th' affrighted islander ; 

Nor slumb'ring Pele raise herself again. 

From her deep, dismal bed of livid flame : 

All these in their deep cells their fires will feed, 

Collect their strength ; their armies discipline ; 

Lay up their fuel in their spacious stores. 

Against the burning day ; when all at once 

They'll burst upon the world, " and take by storm 

This poor terrestrial citadel of man." 

View then, my friend, thro' time's perspective glass, 

The open'd vista of a thousand years, 

And see the state of highly favor'd man : 

Diseases banish'd ; sorrows at an end ; 

Satan confin'd ; the human heart re;iew'd ; 



92 TRIUMPHS OF 

Envy removed, pride buried, hate destroy'd ; 
Lust broken down, and avarice impard ; 
Fraud ruin'd, and intemperance crucified ; 
Wars hush'd, and cruel slavery done away. 
The lowly rais'd, the meek* exalted high : 
Peace flowing like a river thro' the earth ; 
And charity the brightest attribute, 
Of all the attributes of the Most High, 
Invisible, eternal, blessed God, 
Reigning supreme in every human heart, 
Thro' the kind influence of the Holy Ghost, 
In rich efi'usions pour'd, from the great source 
Of life, of light, of peace, of love and joy ; 
With every comfort, blessing, privilege 
That renovated nature can bestow. 
Rich harvests, fruitful gardens, fertile fields ; 
With flocks, and herds, and overflowing stores. 
Of every kind of treasure earth affords, 

And O, my friend, with what ecstatic joy. 
Will angels look on this delightful scene ! 
Angels who hail'd the Saviour's birth, and sang 
Glory to God on high, and peace on earth ; 
What raptures will their beating bosoms feel, 
To see the glories of Immanuel's reign ! 
With what deep interest will old Adam see 
* Psalms 22—26, 27. Matthew 5—5. 



DIVINE GRACE. 93 

The glorious deeds of his almighty son 1 
Sail of th' Eternal God, and son of man ; 
Uniting heav'n* and earth in firmest bands. 
Destroying all the wily tempter'sf work. 
And pressing his crusli'd head beneath his feet. 
What strong emotions must blest Abram feel, 
When he beholds his sons, whom he beheld 
With wicked hands, impaling their kind king, 
Regenerated, sanctified, restor'd ; 
And to their Saviour bound in cords of love !| 
And how will Moses and the prophets sing, 
Martyrs rejoice, and saints lift up their heads ! 
And what thick columns of dense praise will rise 
From the redeem'd, to God's eternal throne ! 

And here, I well might close, both to relievo 
Myself and you ; but, O, dear friend, indulge 
My warm affections towards Jacob's sons, 
My brethren, and my kinsmen, bone of bone, 
And fliesh of flesh with me in nature's bonds. 
See them restor'd, renew'd, and rais'd above 
All other nations, dwelling on the earth, 
(Selected to officiate as priests 
'Round the accepted altars of the Lord ;) 
Stand forth array'd in robes of righteousness 

* Eph. 1—10. t Gen. 3—15. 

I Jer. 31— 3. Hos. 11—4. 



94 TRIUMPHS OF 

With which the Saviour clothes the pure in heart ; 
And iiaving on besides the splendid dress* 
Which God requir'd the Jewish priests to wear, 
(A dress no Gentile ever should assume,) 
Prepar'd to execute their God's command. 
Then see the other nations of the earth 
Present their off 'rings to the Lord of Hosts. 
See Russian princes bendingt to the ground, 
Hungarian nobles, and Bohemian lords ; 
Dukes and arch-dukes, from Oder to the Rhine, 
Their various offerings bring. 
Merchants from British isles, laden with wealth 
Gather'd from every quarter of the globe, 
With their own costly well-wrought fabrics, come 
To bring their presents to the King of Kings. 
Princes from France, and Belgia's ancient shores, 
With silks, and laces of the finest thread. 
Nobles and lords from old Iberia's soil 
With silver plate, and gold,| and diamonds, drawn 
In former days, from distant western mines. 
Princes of Moorish blood, and turban'd Turks, 
With numerous flocks of goats, and tender kids, 
And all the various products of their soil. 
Present their offerings to their sovereign king. 
While the dark tribes that range th' extensive plains 
Beyond the Niger's flood, in concert come, 
* Ezek. 44—17, 18, 19. f Isa. 60—14. t Isa. 54-1 1, 12. 60—17. 



DIVINE GRACE. 95 

With costly presents from their spacious realms. 



f 



But why should I attempt to tell you all ! 
Let it suffice to say, the choice perfumes, 
And odoriferous gums* of Ishmael's land ; 
Armenian herds, and flocks fed on the banks 
Of Tigris, and Euphrates' fertile streams, 
Where once the pleasant, fruitful garden lay, 
That nourish'd man in his primeval state. 
Rich Persian silks, and cloths of Cashmere wool. 
India's soft cottons, China's curious ware ; 
Golconda's diamonds, pearls from Ormus' bed. 
And cinnamon and spices from the isles, 
That lie beyond the broad Arabian sea. 
All these, and more than these, be brought by kings, 
And emperorsjt and governors, and lords. 
And dedicated to the Holy One. 
Then shall the earth be thoroughly subdu'd,| 
And man, his delegated empire hold 
O'er sea and land, and general concord reign, 
And universal harmony and peace 
Pervade all realms ; and sympathizing love 
Rule in all hearts, and songs of praise ascend 
From Zion's walls to earth's remotest end. 
And this blest period will continue through 
The whole of our Immanuel's reign below. 
* Isa. 60—6. t Isa. 49—23. % Gen. 1—28. 



96 TRIUMPHS OP 

He paus'd ; and then his guest, with anxious look 
Address'd him thus : — Indulge a friend 
In one petition more ; impart yonr thoughts 
Respecting those events which we are taught, 
Will follow close upon the thousand years, 
That you've been speaking of. The Jew replied : — ■ 
My mind with interest deep, and anxious thought, 
Has long been laboring to discover what 
The Scriptures teach respecting these events : 
Something I think I've learn'd, but more remains 
Still to be understood, but this I'll say. 
Satan* must be unbound, the seals be broke 
Of that dark dismal pit, in which he'll lie 
With his rebellious crew, the thousand years 
Of our Immanuel's empire o'er the world : 
And being loos'd, immediately begin 
To practice his old arts, and soon deceive 
The Gentile world again, as he decoiv'd 
Their simple-hearted fathers, in the days 
That folio w'd Noah's flood, when he enticed 
Them all to worship idols, senseless, vain, 
Deform'd, and ugly, neither having power 
To save or to destroy ; and instigate 
Magog and Gog with all their mighty host. 
In number as the sand upon the shore 
Of the great sea, with arms prepar'd in haste 
* Rev. 20—7, 8, 9, 10. 



DIVINE GRACE. 97 

From pruning hooks and ploughshares (all the laws 

Of God's dominion being quite reversed, ) 

To come against the seed of Abraham, 

And God's beloved city, firm and fix'd 

In its allegiance to its righteous king. 

And then a sea of fire, broad as the ground 

That bears th' accursed band, will fall from heaven, 

And burn, and utterly destroy them all ; 

And the great cruel foe of God and man, 

With all his impious legions, hurry down 

Into that fearful sulph'rous lake of fire. 

Where the false prophet, and the beast, exil'd 

From heaven and happiness, in sorrow dwell. 

But here the Gentile said : Can you explain 

The meaning of that term ; or tell me what 

Is to be understood by that dire lake. 

To which you now allude ? The Jew replied : 

Not satisfied myself, I cannot hope 

That you'll be satisfied with what I say : 

But this I can assert ; it is the last 

Great place of punishment for wickedness. 

A place that will absorb, and swallow up* 

All other places of the kind, the grave, 

And death, and hell, and all the hateful dregs - 

Of this polluted world, sin, grief, and pain, 

* Rev. 20—14, 15. 
9 



98 TRIUMPHS OF 

Adulteries, fornications, plagues, and lies. 

With all that practice such nefarious deeds 

As heaven abhors ; where all unholy souls, 

And sinful spirits stay, 'till they have paid 

The utmost farthing that the law* demands. 

To punish sinners, and to check the course 

Of wickedness, from that important day 

In which the world was made, to that bright morn, 

When Christ shall come to organize anew 

Its molten particles, and to transform 

It into something more etherial ; 

The grave, and death, and hell were all prepar'd : 

But now the grave is buried, death destroy'd, 

And hell absorb'd in the great burning lake. 

That's called with emphasis, the second death. 

But let us now turn to the scene we left, 
When you the interesting question ask'd. 
That drew my answer forth — the sea of fire 
That falls on the rebellious, will begin 
The general conflagration of the world. 
Rous'd by the shock, the subterranean fires 
Will soon begin to move, muster their strength, 
Make their arrangements, and call out their troops, 
T' assail the fortresses of mortal men. 
Sicilians then will hear the deep-toned voice 
* Mat. 5—25. 



DIVINE GRACE. 99 

Of vEtna, Vousing up her sleeping fires, 

And feel the paiitings of her beating heart. 

Vesuvius will roar and pour a stream 

Of liquid fire into the boiling flood, 

That laves th' Italian shore. Poor Iceland hear 

The deep and dismal groans of Hecla's womb ; 

And see her bowels move, enrag'd to find 

Her fierce phalanx of fire so slow to join 

The mighty armies of the Lord of Hosts. 

Again the flame will kiss Kirua's lips, 

And slumb'ring Pele rouse herself once more, 

And rise again majestically grand; 

Grander by far than she was ever seen, 

In superstitious pagan's heated brain. 

While new volcanoes in new parts will rise, 

And hurry on their legions to the war, 

Eternity will then begin to wage 

With poor distress'd, disheart'ned dying time. 

The air will join her forces with the earth ; 

The hydrogen will flee, and hide herself, 

As being of no use in this campaign ; 

And the destructive oxygen will flame 

More fiercely than the gas in burning spring. 

And then will sound (or possibly before 
And quickly after the great sea of fire 
Has swept the sons of violence away. 



100 TRIUMPHS OF 

That came against the just,) the Trump of God, 

Blown by the potent breath, that issues from 

The great archangel's lips, whose piercing voice, 

Reverberating loud from orb to orb. 

Thro' the whole solar system, (mighty space 

In our contracted minds, tho' but a speck 

In God Almighty's empire,) shaking down 

The pillars of creation, tearing up 

The marble slabs that hide the mighty dead, 

Breaking the sleep of death, and raising up 

Millions* on millions of the fall'n race 

Of the first pair, that liv'd in paradise, 

Of all conditions, languages, and tongues, 

Colors, and sizes, figures, ages, forms, 

Habits and customs, which the world has seen, 

Or ever will behold ; — to die no more : 

While those who live shall at the soundf be chang'd 

From mortal to immortal, trampling on 

The neck of death gasping beneath their feet. 

And O, my friend, how interesting then 

To see the saints in " their own glorious forms," 

Bearing the image of the son of man,| 

And cloth'd in robes of pure and spotless white — 

The emblem of that perfect righteousness, 

In which they stand before the heavenly hosts — 

♦ Rev. 20—12. t 1 Cor. 1 5—51, 52, 53. | Philip. 3—20, 21 



DIVINE GRACE. 101 

How interesting tiien to see tiiem rise, 

In this rich splendid dress, to meet the Lord, 

Up to the higher regions of the air !* 

How very interesting to behold 

The great white throne,f and him who sits thereon ; 

From whose majestic presence, heaven and earth, 

In trembling agitation, flee away ! 

How solemn, how affecting to behold 

The great assembly at the Judgment Seat — 

Kings, princes, nobles, dukes, and mighty lords. 

Who rnl'd their subjects with an iron rod, 

From mercy quite estrang'd, but mercy now 

Needing, far more than those unhappy, poor, 

Afflicted persons they so much despis'd ! 

How painful to behold (sentence pronounc'd) 

The trembling threshold of eternily 

Asunder rent, and all the wretched throng 

Descending down into its dismal womb ! 

And O, my friend, may the rich grace of God, 

Prepare us both to join the happy band. 

To whom the Judge will say, " Come ye blest sons| 

Of my Almighty Father, come possess 

The kingdom which your God for you prepar'd, 

When the creation's base was by him laid ;" 

And may we see, as I suppose this band 

♦ 1 Thess. 4—17. f Rev. 20—11. | Mat. 25—34. 

9* 



102 TRIUMPHS OP 

Of joyful souls will see, the earth renew'd. 
And rising from its ruins* phoenix like, 
To incorruption, immortality 
And heaut}', far surpassing what it was 
In its primeval, perfect, glorious state. 
And may we also see, as I again 
Suppose this band will see, before they quit 
Their station near the awful Judgment Seat, 
The New Jerusalem,! in distant skies. 
Descending from the holy throne of God, 
(That high and lofty throne on which he sits. 
To sway the sceptre of the universe,) 
Adorn'd and deck'd with jewels like a bride 
Prepar'd to meet her lov'd and loving lord. 
And resting on the earth, a splendid place ; 
With jasper stones, and emeralds in the walls,| 
* And spacious gates compos'd of brilliant pearls, 
The great metropolis of all the sav'd. 

But here again his wond'ring guest inquired : — 
Do you believe this earth will be th' abode 
Of the redeem'd, when risen from the dead? 
I do believe it will, the Jew replied, 
For where can this metropolis be placed, 
This New Jerusalem, if not on earth 1 
It comes from God_and heaven, and comes to men,jl 
* Rev. 21—5. t Rev. 21—2. | Rev. 22—9. 20. || Rev. 21—3, 4. 



DIVINE GRACE. 103 

And men are surely tenants of the earth, 
And earthly kings* their ofTerings to it bring. 
And do not think it strange, my dearest friend. 
When I declare my fixM and firm belief, 
That this vile world of ours, cleans'd purified, 
And organiz'd anew, will be the seat 
Of the redeem'd, and is the very place 
In Scripture styled the kingdom of the saints, 
Prepar'd before earth's corner stone was laid. 
The image of the world, as I have said 
Before, being hid in God's omniscient mind. 
He clearly saw his purpos'd end attain'd, 
In the destruction of the devil's works. 
The renovation of the ruin'd earth. 
And reign of love, and truth, and righteousness. 
Under tiie banners of the Prince of Peace ; 
And now his object fully realiz'd. 
And all the evil which th' arch-fiend brought in. 
After his liberation from the pit. 
Eradicated, burnt out, or remov'd. 
With the arcli-fiend himself, and all his band, 
And every human soul that's prone to ill ; 
The earth renevv'd, its dregs and dross consum'd ; 
The New Jerusalem arriv'd. and plac'd 
On its allotted site ; (allotted when 
Earth's corner-stone by its great architect 
^ Rev. 21—24. 



104 TRIUMPHS OP 

Was laid, and morning stars together sung, 
And all the sons of God shouted for joy ;) 
The sovereign architect himself will fix 
His residence with men, and be their God, 
And they shall be his people, nations sav'd, 
First by his grace thro' his anointed son, 
Then by his presence in their new abode ; 
From which he'll banish pain, disease, and grief, 
Sorrow, and death, and every other ill, 
That can annoy, disturb, or break their peace ; 
And with his own soft hand wipe off the tears 
From every face, and pouring streams of love, 
Pure, perfect, blessed love, into their hearts. 
From that eternal fountain that supplies 
Ten thousand times ten thousand souls with life. 
And light, and peace, and every other good. 
Make them rejoice with joy unspeakable, 
Aud full of glory round his holy throne. 

He ceas'd, his guest awhile in silence sat. 

And then addressed him thus ; accepting my thanks. 

Dear friend, for your compliance with my wish, 

I've heard, admir'd, and much instruction gain'd, 

And now I go back to my native vale, 

To spend the remnant of my fleeting days ; 

And O may Abraham's God be ever near. 

To guide, protect, and bless j'ou while you live ; 



DIVINE GRACE. 105 

And tho* on earth we never meet again, 

May we both meet with joy at Christ's right hand, 

To live and reign with him world without end. 

He spoke, and press'd his hand, and took his leave, 

Went to lodgings, and arrangements made 

For- his departure to his native land ; 

In which he soon arriv'd, where now he lives 

A humble follower of Jesus Christ, 



PROMISCUOUS PIECES, 



BY 



HARRIETTE E. PHELPS. 



PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 



'WHY SEEK YE THE LIVING AMONG THE DEAD?' 

Beside the Saviour's lowly tomb, 
See weeping Mary pensive stand ; 

Sorrow has wrapt her mind in gloom, 
For heavy is affliction's hand. 

The Christ — the Lord's anointed one — 
The Hebrew's long expected king — 

Messiah — David's royal son ; 

He who deliv'rance was to bring, 

Is now a captive held by death, 

Shrouded in darkness and in gloom ; 

She's heard him sigh away his breath, 
She's seen him laid within the tomb. 

And where is Judah's comfort now ? 

Her light is quench'd, her hope is dead ; 

Sorrow sits pensive on her brow, 

And bitter anguish bows her head. 
10 



110 PROMISCUOUS PIECES^ 

But Mary ! weeping Mary ! list ! 

It is an Angel deigns to speak : 
" Woman, with grief and woe opprest^ 

Among the dead, whom do ye seek? 

'^ Lo ! Christ the Saviour, is not here, 
Death could not long retain his prey ; 

Triumphant in his bright career, 
He took the tyrant's sting away, 

" The tomb, tho' seaPd with Pilate's seal, 

Could not the Lord of Life confine ; 
Rising, he burst its bars of steel. 

And spoil'd the grave by right divine. 

" The conqueror treads the earth again 5 
He — Mary's persecuted son — 

Has crush'd the pow'rs of hell and sin, 
And now, his glorious work is done. 

" And soon, befove your wond'ring eyes- 
In the full face of shining day, 

He to his Father's courts shall rise. 
And show his followers the way.'* 



PROMISCUOUS PIECES. Ill 

VICTORY. 

I heard the trump of war, 
I heard the clarion peal its thrilling sound, 
Which seem'd to shake the solid rock, the ground. 

And make the earth to jar. 

To arms ! to arms ! it rung -, 
And demons echoed back the appaling sound. • 

From every rock and cavern, hill and mound, 

The answer back was flung. 

I saw the warrior-knight 
Mount his black steed, his unsheathed falchion grasp. 
His buckler fasten, and his helmet clasp. 

And rush on to the fight. 

Now high the banner waves. 
Thick fly tlie arrows from opposing flanks, 
And the broadsword, which hews down ranks on ranks, 

Sends thousands to their graves. 

Upon this fatal spot, 
How many press on madly to their doom. 
Together fall, and find one common tomb. 
Unnoticed and forgot. 



112 PROMISCUOUS PIECES, 

Careering o'er the field, 
The raven and the vulture whet the beak, 
Instinctive nature tells them where to seek 

And find a plenteous meal. 

Proudly advancing on, 
Triumphantly returning from the fight, 
The hero comes, proclaiming in his might, 

The victory is won. • 

Victory ! the conqueror cries, 
And honor wreathes her laurel round his head. 
Fame trumpets to the world his mighty deed. 

And glory is his prize, 

Victory ! responds the swarn. 
With aching heart, as he beholds his crop 
Trod under fi)0t, his vineyard rooted up. 

And sees the scattered grain. 

Victory ! the widow sighs. 
Whose lord lies coldly stretched on yonder plain, 
Mangled and bleeding, 'midst a heap of slain. 

To fame a sacrifice. 



PROMISCUOUS PIECES. IIS 

Can victory repay 
The weeping laborer for his blighted crop ? 
Or raise to life the sinking widow's prop, 

The helpless orphan's stay ? 

Can victory revive 
The deadened pulse — with sense invest the brains, 
Bring back the life-blood to a thousand veins, 

And make the dead to live 1 



TO MY FATHER. 

Years steal apace — thy locks grow white, 
Time leaves his traces on thy brow, 

And, 'neath the stern Destroyer's might, 
Thy strength is bending now : 

And when a few more years are fled. 

Must thou be numbered with the dead ? 

What shall I do when thou art gone 1 
My guide, my counsellor and friend ! 

Left unprotected and alone, 

Through life's dark way to wend ; 

No more to call me when I stray, 

Or show my wand'ring feet the way. 
10* 



iX4 PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 

But, hush thy fears, my murm'ring soul. 
Cast all thy care upon thy God ; 

'Tis true that grief may o'er thee roll, 
And thou may'st feel his chast'ning rod ; 

But He who led thy father through, 

Thou murm'rer will conduct thee too. 



TO 



Thy words are like the passing gale^ 
That idly kiss'd the rose's cheek, 

And whispering told its tender tale, 
Then flew away new flowers to seek» 

Thy vows are like the chrystal lake, 
Impressed by winter's lightest seal. 

Which ev'ry passing step may break, 
And ev'ry frost again congeal. 

Thy looks are like the moon's bright beam- 
Reflected on the glitt'ring fount ; 

While the next hour beholds her gleam 
Upon some distant lofty mount. 



PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 115 

THE APPROACH OF WINTER. 

Roses tell me why you wither 1 

Why your leaves are scattered round 1 
.Oft your beauty brought me hither, 

Now, 'tis wasted on the ground. 
Warblers, why has ceased your singing ? 

Which was wont my heart to cheer, 
Now, far off your flight you're winging. 

Where these notes I ne'er shall hear. 
Zephyr, why has ceased your sighing 1 

Where has fled the fragrant breeze ? 
In your stead the tempest's flying, 

Chilly winds the dew-drops freeze. 
Ah ! 'lis Winter now approaching, 

Frigid Winter, that so strange 
Has thus, on our joys encroaching, 

Wrought this melancholy change. 
Now, no more the rose shall flourish, 

No more songsters tune their lay ; 
Summer pleasures, all must perish. 

Zephyrs no more round us play, 
Until Spring, fresh clad in vigor. 

Dancing o'er the new-drest plain. 
Melting off stern Winter's rigor, 

Comes to cheer our hearts again. 



116 PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 

TO DEATH. 

Grim tyrant ! when I see thee stand 
With threatening look, in all thy pride, 

Thy dreadful jav'lin in thy hand, 
Thine awful trophies by thy side ; 

The coffin near — the shroud, the tomb, 

Waiting in all their dismal gloom ; 

I shudder, and my fainting heart 
In trembling horror turns away. 

My soul, unwilling to depart, 

Shrinks back within its house of clay ; 

And clings to life with all its stains, 
Its griefs, its sorrows, and its pains. 

Oh ! 'tis a chilling thought to know. 

Thy icy arms must yet enfold 
This breathing form, and that my brow 

Must by thy touch, grow bleach'd and cold 
My spirit, shud'ring with affi-ight, 

Turns trembling from the fancied sight. 

\ 

But wh^n, thou stern terrific power, 

I see attending angels near. 
To cheer me through the trying hour, 



PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 117 

And quell the overwhelming fear, 
Support me through the expiring gasp, 
While yielding to thy fearful grasp ; 

When with an eye of faith, I see 

('As the last pulse of nature dies) 
The spirit, like a bird set free. 

Mount upward to its native skies. 
And leave thee (all that thou canst own) 
The vacant house of clay alone ; 

Then, King of Terrors ! then thy form 

Loses its pow'r to daunt my heart, 
My soul no longer feels alarm. 

Nor trembles at th' uplifted dart ; 
But fain, would, mounting on the wing. 
Advance to meet thee, frowning king. 



TO 



Weep not for me ! weep not for me ! 

I would not sadness fling 
O'er hours that sport so blithesomely, 

On pleasure's gilded wing. 



118 PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 

Sigh not for me ! sigh not for me ! 

I would not, on his throne 
Thy " bosom's lord" sit heavily, 

For sorrow not thine own. 

No ! keep thy tears, the time may come, 
When thou may'st need them all, 

When for thyself, and not for me. 
The bitter drops may fall. 

Time too may come (forbid it Heaven) 
When fate may do its worst. 

And thy pure heart may wounded, riven, 
With its own sorrows burst. 



AN EVENING THOUGHT. 

See how yon clouds in glory ride, 
Illumin'd by the Sun's last beam ; 
But ah ! in spite of all their pride, 
They'll vanish like a morning dream. 

And thus, Oh man ! it is with thee, 
Possessed of beauty, power, and might, 
You sport awhile on life's dark sea, 
Then sink into oblivion's night. 



piaoMrscuous pieces. 119 

RETROSPECTION. 

How many visions fair and bright, 
Have pass'd before my raptur'd sight, 

Visions of mortal birth ; 
I woo'd them, but they would not stay, 
I lov'd them, but they pass'd away, 

Like all that is of earth. 

Fair forms have glanc'd before my view. 
But transient as the morning dew, 

I look'd, and they had gone 
Some other eyes than mine to bless, 
And left me with my loneliness, 

And memory alone. 

Bright eyes have sparkled in my sight, 
I gaz'd upon them with delight. 

And bless'd each ardent beam ; 
But, changeful as the lunar ray, 
I lookM, and they had pass'd away, 

Like fancy's fitful dream. 

Hearts that I've lov'd with feelings true, 
And hearts that seem'd to love me too. 
Were for a season mine ; 



120 PROMISCUOUS PJECES. 

But time unclasp'd affection's hands, 
And absence soon dissolv'd the bands 
That friendship did entwine. 

Thus, transient as the meteor's ray, 
Earth's brightest visions fade away : 

Oh ! thou Almighty One ! 
Unchanging as eternity. 
Teach me to fix my hopes on thee. 

My hopes on thee, alone. 



THE SHIPWRECK. 

Afar on the ocean wave, boundless and wide, 
The proud bark of pleasure sweeps over the tide ; 
Her canvass is spread to the breath of the sky. 
Her banner is waving triumphant on high. 

She recks not of danger, she fears not the storm, 
Undaunted her spirit, unshrinking her form ; 
Beneath — the blue ocean is resting, — above — 
The sky is as calm as the angel of love. 

But see ! the dark billows are heaving, — the god 
Of ocean's fierce tempest is riding abroad. 



PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 121 

Already his pinion is flung o'er the sea, 

And the demon is laughing e'en now in his glee. 

And pleasure's proud galley is breasting the wrath 
Of the terrible tempest that's sweeping her path, 
Amid the wild waves of the turbulent deep, 
Still vainly she's struggling her pathway to keep. 

But the eye of destruction has singled his prey, . 
And the treacherous ocean her charge will betray, 
The dark raging billows are washing her deck, 
And the cold heaving waters close over the wreck. 



REMINISCENCES. 

When time's unsparing hand shall trace 

Its furrows on my brow. 
And from this undim'd eye, efface 

The joy that lights it now ; 
Then, the remembrance of the past, 

Shall hover round my heart, 
And while the breath of life shall last, 

A sense of joy impart. 



11 



122 PROMISCUOUS PlECES^, 

For memory with tenacious grasp. 

Shall cling to those bright hours, 
When youth and pleasure hands did clasp. 

And dance in sunlit bowVs. 
Friendship's dear tokens I'll engrave 

Deep on my heart's own page ; 
Those lovM remembrances I'll save. 

In spite of time or age. 

Tho' silver hairs this brow may shade.. 

And care trace many a line, 
And the rude stamp of years, invade 

This unblanch'd cheek of mine — 
No vain regret will I allow 

To give my bosom pain ; 
But only think what I am now, 

To be myself again. 

And should the world's unsparing frown 

E'er low'r upon my head — 
Perhaps, neglected and alone, 

Forgotten as the dead, 
I'll fly to some sequestered ground. 

Avoiding fortune's blast. 
And calling fancy's visions round, 

I'll live but in the past. 



PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 123 

TO MY DEAD CAT. 

Where bleach thy bones, my faithful cat, 

Alas ! I do not know ; 
I only know that thou hast gone 

Where all at last must go. 

And in what form thy fate was met, 

I dare not ask or hear, 
Lest the much dreaded tidings should 

Confirm what most I fear. 

The day I left my childhood's home. 

When fate bade me depart, 
You little knew, my fav'rite puss, 

What anguish rent my heart. 

I griev'd to leave that long lov'd spot, 

Some other home to find. 
But more than all, it griev'd my heart 

To leave my cat behind. 

I knew you'd miss the hand that smooth'd 

Your furry coat so soft. 
And list, in vain, to hear the voice, 

That call'd your name so oft. 



124 PROMISCUOUS PIECES, 

But rest in peace, lamented one \ 

I know thou art secure 
From all the ills which now I feel, 

And those I must endure. 

I often think upon the time 

When, (both secure from harm,) 

You rested safely on my lap. 
And free from all alarm. 

But now, alas ! that time is gone, 
Those days forever fled ; 

My heart is fill'd with pain and care. 
And thou, my cat, art dead. 



THE MISTAKE. 

Cupid, one morning, full of glee. 
And wishing to indulge his mirth. 

Left Venus' arms, resolv'd to see 
What mischief he could do on earth. 

He from his golden quiver drew, 
The sharpest ^nd the keenest dart. 

And seizing his elastic bow. 

Determined well to play his part. 



PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 125 

He soon selected out his mark, 

And oflf with exultation flew ; 
Then drew with an unerring hand, 

And swift the barbed arrow threw. 

But how was little love amaz'd, 

When he beheld the dart rebound. 
As though it had encounter'd steel. 

And fall before him on the ground. 

He took the arrow up, but found 

It broke, which more surprised him still, 

Then threw it down, resolv'd to know, 
What thus had baffled all his skill. 

He gazed a moment, then exclaimed — 
I see what thus has spoil'd my dart ; 

I aim'd at flesh, but hit instead 
A flint — a bachelor's cold heart. 



THE WISH. 

Oh ! that my home were in yon sky. 

Where all around that meets my view, 

Far as I stretch my wand'ring eye, 

Is one vast sheet of blue. 
11* 



126 PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 

For, ah ! my heart is sick of earth, 

I've tried its joys and prov'd them vain ; 

I've tasted its deceitful mirth, 
And found it end in pain. 

I've tasted too the cup of woe, 

And if the dregs I have not quaff 'd, 

I've drank enough, at least, to know 
That 'tis a bitter draught. 

Then oh ! I would my home were there, 
In yonder blue, unclouded sky ; 

For there, unknown is pain or care, 
Unknown a tear or sigh. 



THE MIRAGE OF THE DESERT. 

On Afric's scorched and arid sands, 
The weary traveller fainting stands ; 
No shelt'ring tree or shrub appears, 
No murm'ring rill salutes his ears ; 
Above, he sees a brazen sky. 
Around, the desert meets his eye ; 
A torrid sun with scorching beams, 
Pours down the ceaseless burning streams. 



PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 127 

Exhausted nature's failing fast, 

And every effort seems the last, 

Shorter still grows his tight'ned breath, 

And in despair he waits for death. 

When lo ! upon his straining sight 

There bursts a vision, cheering, bright ; 

He sees a lake of heavn'ly blue. 

Lift its clear surface to his view, 

While on its banks, the lofty trees 

Spread their broad leaves, to catch the breeze ; 

A grassy mound, with soft green breast. 

Beneath their shade, invites to rest. 

Now every fainting nerve he strains, 

New hopes invigorate hisveins, 

He urges on his swollen feet. 

To gain the heaven-prepared retreat ; 

It nearer draws, he plainer sees 

The chrystal lake, the spreading trees, 

In fancy does the cooling wave 

His parched and fev'rish temples lave. 

Already does his burning lip 

The life-restoring el'ment sip ; 

In fancy too, his aching head 

Reposes on the grassy bed ; 

When ! gracious Heav'n ! the vision's gone ! 

The grass, the lake, the trees are flown ; 

'Twas but the sand, 'twas but the skies, 



128 PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 

'Twas but the sun deceived his eyes ; 
He sees, in frenzied madness wild, 
It was the Mirage that beguiled ; 
That tantalized his raptur'd sight. 
Then vanished, like electric light. 
Horror has chain'd him to the ground, 
Despair his palsied limbs has bound, 
With one wild shriek, one awful groan; 
The trav'ler sinks and dies alone. 



TO 



Oh ! there are thrilling strains, my love ! 

That float upon the air. 
They seem like music from above, 

And sounds of rapture bear. 

And yet, they are but mortal notes. 
For mortals gave them birth — 

Though seeming as they gently float, 
Far more like Heaven than earth. 

If mortal breath from human lip. 

Can wake such joy as this, 
To make the trembling spirit weep 

In ecstacy of bliss — 



PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 129 

What feelings must the soul inspire, 

When angel voices sing ! 
When seraph fingers touch the lyre, 

And sweep the golden string ! 



AN APPEAL TO AMERICANS. 

Wake Land of the Free ! arouse thee from sleep ! 
Is it meet thou should'st slumber when dangers appear 1 
Does the mariner rest, on the dark foaming deep. 
When he knows that the storm and the tempest are near ? 

Seest not there are foes, who wait by the way. 
To invade the fair borders of freedom's domain 1 
Seest not there are spies, who watch to betray 
The rights, which thy children have sworn to maintain ? 

There's a banner unfurl'd in the midst of thy camp, 
It shows not the stripes that thy pennon displays ; 
Shall a standard be planted, which bears not thy stamp. 
Where the broad Flag of Liberty only should wave ? 

Arouse then, to action ! 'tis time to awake ! 
Send forth thy proud Eagle to watch o'er the land — 
Lest usurpers the rights of thy native sons take. 
And invaders wrest from thee, the strength of thy hand ! 



130 PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 



TO 



I saw thee, as the orb of night 

Was mounting up the eastern sky, 

And thought 'twas but a vision bright — 
A beam but lent me from on high. 

1 heard the music of thy tongue, 
And fancied 'twas a seraph's lyre. 

Or strain of heav'nly rapture, sung 
By one of the celestial choir. 

And when thy form had left my sight, 
When the soft notes died on my ear, 

My soul, entranced with wild delight. 
Still seem'd to see — still seem'd to hear. 



ON THE DEATH OF M. E. LEWIS, 

AGED THREE YEARS. 

He came, the monarch of the grave. 
We felt, we knew, that he was near. 

Yet fondly still we hop'd to save. 
But trembling hop'd with fear. 



PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 131 

We vvatch'd the pulse, so faint and low, 

We knelt beside the wasted form, 
As though we could avert the blow, 

Or stay the uplifted arm : 

And while we mark'd the flick'ring flame, 
That faint and fainter seem'd to play, 

The last, the trying moment came. 
The spirit pass'd away. 

We wept ! and yet how could we weep 1 

When the celestial soul had gone, 
An endless Sabbath-day to keep 

Before the Father's throne : 

Had left a world of grief and care, 

A body of disease and pain, 
A robe of righteousness to wear. 

And paradise to gain. 

Almost an angel here below. 

She had a temper form'd for heav'n, 

And God, who did her life bestow, 
Claim'd what himself had giv'n. 

As o'er her lifeless corse we hung, 
With bitter tears and choking sighs, 



132 PROMISCUOUS PIECES. 

Perchance, as hymns of joy she sung, 
She watch'd us from the skies ; 

Where, leaning on her Saviour's breast. 
And cloth'd in immortality, 

Her spirit shall forever rest. 
Throughout eternity. 



(/VL 



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